CNDH Ensures Fair Trial for Senegal Fans Detained Over AFCON Final Vandalism

Rabat – Morocco’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH) emphasized today its commitment to ensure fair trials for Senegal fans detained over vandalism during the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco.

In its report, CNDH said that it closely monitored the events surrounding the tournament on January 18, citing the incidents that marred the AFCON final.

The council said it continued to observe the trial of 18 detained Senegalese fans as well as a detainee of French nationality of Algerian origin.

CNDH, according to its statement, continues to monitor the appeal trials of the detainees prosecuted over different charges, including unauthorized pitch invasion, the use of force, and participation in acts of violence that resulted in damage to property and sports facilities.

The charges also include deliberate throwing of projectiles or objects, causing harm to others, and committing acts of violence against public forces on duty.

“In its observation of the trials before the Rabat Court of Appeal (as it did at the first-instance stage), the CNDH has focused on the effective respect of fair trial guarantees, particularly public hearings, the presumption of innocence, and the effective access to the rights of defense,” the council said.

It cited ensuring defendants have access to a lawyer, as well as translation and interpretation services.

It also deployed a monitoring and follow-up committee, accompanied by a specialist doctor, to the prisons where detainees are held in Sale. The team conducted interviews without the presence of prison administration staff members.

CNDH said none of the detainees reported any violations of their rights to the council’s team. 

The CNDH team held meetings with the administrative officials and medical staff of both institutions, examined case files, and directly observed the detention conditions.

CNDH’s President, Amina Bouayach, also met with the President of the National Human Rights Commission of Senegal on the sidelines of the General Assembly of the African Network of National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), held in Cameroon in February.

The meeting served as a platform to inform the Senegalese institution of all actions taken in accordance with its national mandate.

The appeal case for the Senegalese fans was postponed to April 13.

The Senegalese government pledged to take all necessary measures to ensure the fans’ release, despite videos documenting vandalism and violence during the competition.

The government also hinted that it might request a royal pardon for the arrested fans.

 

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