Moroccan court halts Uyghur extradition to China, enabling resettlement in the U.S.

Idris Hasan, a Uyghur man detained in Morocco for over three years while facing potential extradition to China, has been released and resettled in the United States.

Chinese authorities had accused Hasan of supporting terrorist activities during his time in Turkey, where he worked as a translator documenting human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang province, Radio Free Asia reports.

Rights organizations estimate that over a million Uyghurs have been arbitrarily detained in Xinjiang internment camps, where reports of abuse are widespread. While China claims these facilities are “vocational education and training centers” aimed at combating extremism, a 2022 UN report challenged this narrative, finding credible evidence of torture, ill-treatment, forced medical procedures, and sexual and gender-based violence.

Hasan sought asylum in Morocco but was detained upon arrival in Casablanca due to an INTERPOL red notice. However, INTERPOL later revoked the notice, citing its rules against politically, religiously, or ethnically motivated persecution. Despite this, a Moroccan court initially approved China’s extradition request.

UN human rights bodies intervened, expressing grave concerns that Hasan would face torture and enforced disappearance if sent back to China. After 43 months of detention and behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, the Moroccan court reversed its decision, leading to Hasan’s release.

Hasan arrived safely in the U.S. on February 14. Speaking to Radio Free Asia, he expressed his gratitude: “I am deeply grateful to the individuals and organizations who helped me throughout this journey, especially the U.S. government.”