FiLiA demands #FreeBetty

11th August 2025

Mr Alex Pinfield OBE,
His Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco,
British Embassy Rabat,
28 Avenue S.A.R. Sidi,
Mohammed Souissi 10105 (BP 45),
Rabat,
Morocco

Dear Mr Alex Pinfield OBE,

I write to you with concern regarding the current detention of Ms Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar, a notable Moroccan psychologist, feminist, and co‐founder of the Mouvement Alternatif pour les Libertés Individuelles (M.A.L.I.).

On 10th August 2025, Ms Lachgar was arrested in Rabat and placed in police custody pending investigation, following the online publication of a photograph in which she wore a T‐shirt reading ‘Allah is lesbian’, accompanied by a caption critiquing Islam. Ms Lachgar has since been targeted with thousands of threats, including calls for rape, death, stoning and other extreme violence.

Her arrest, conducted under Article 267‐5 of Morocco’s Penal Code, which criminalises public insults to Islam, carries severe penalties ‒ up to five years in prison and substantial fines.

Ms Lachgar is due to speak at our FiLiA conference in a matter of weeks. She is well regarded, and the audience of over 2,000 are anticipating being able to hear from her about her work on women’s rights and freedoms. Given her status as a prominent advocate for individual liberties, secularism and women’s rights, and in light of the serious threats she faces, we respectfully request the following:

  • An immediate update on Ms Lachgar’s current legal and personal status, including whether formal charges have been brought and details regarding her access to legal counsel, contact with family or international observers.

  • Her swift and unconditional release, in alignment with international human rights standards and Morocco’s commitments to freedom of expression, thought and belief.

  • Assurances that Ms Lachgar will be protected from further threats or harassment while her case is resolved.

We urge you to use your position as His Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco to influence to facilitate a swift, fair and humane resolution to this matter.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent human rights concern. I stand ready to assist in any constructive dialogue or support the diplomatic facilitation of Ms Lachgar’s release.

Yours sincerely,

Lisa-Marie Taylor
CEO, FiLiA

MICHELLE KERWIN