Moroccan authorities have released Uyghur human rights activist Idris Hasan, also known as Yidiresi Aishan, after 43 months in detention. Arrested in July 2021 at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport based on an Interpol red notice requested by China, Hasan faced terrorism-related accusations due to his work documenting human rights abuses against Uyghurs in East Turkestan.
Although Interpol canceled the red notice in August 2021, Moroccan courts approved his extradition to China later that year, raising concerns about potential human rights violations. Amnesty International and other organizations campaigned against his extradition, warning that returning him to China would violate international laws protecting individuals from being sent to countries where they face persecution.
On February 12, 2025, Hasan was transferred to the UNHCR office in Morocco and formally accepted for resettlement in the United States. He arrived in Washington, D.C., two days later, where he reunited with his supporters.
Expressing gratitude for the efforts made on his behalf, Hasan’s wife, Zaynura Hasan, thanked human rights defenders for their advocacy, saying their support had been crucial in securing his release.
His case highlights the ongoing risks faced by Uyghur activists worldwide, with rights groups urging governments to uphold protections for those fleeing persecution.