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Open letter by Siham Lachgar on her sister’s dire situation

Maryam Namazie’s piece in The Freethinker – Freedom of expression lives where offence begins: In defence of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar

Ex-Muslims International (Ex-MI), of which Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) is a founding member, launched a global campaign ahead of Apostasy Day (August 22) to #FreeBetty for Ibtissame Betty Lachgar, a feminist, atheist, psychologist, and long-time human rights activist who has been arrested for “blasphemy” by Moroccan authorities. She has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for sharing a photo on X of herself in a T-shirt that read: “Allah is lesbian” taken in London.

While she sits in a prison cell, thousands who issued death and rape threats against her online remain free. The decision to imprison her is particularly cruel given her fragile health. As a cancer survivor, she requires consistent medical attention that cannot be guaranteed in detention, placing her life in further jeopardy.

Betty was prosecuted for “insulting Islam”, a blasphemy charge rooted in Morocco’s oppressive religious laws. Also in Morocco, homosexuality is illegal under Article 489 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes “lewd or unnatural acts” between individuals of the same sex.

Betty’s arrest is a grotesque violation of human rights and a chilling reminder of how apostates, atheists, feminists, and queer dissidents continue to be persecuted under the guise of “protecting religion.” Her lawyers will be appealing on 6 October.

We are demanding Betty’s freedom and calling for an end to the systemic criminalization, silencing, and violence against people who question, challenge and leave religion. This is not just about a social media post or t-shirt—it’s apostophobia in action and yet another religiously-motivated attack on our collective rights to freely think, speak and express ourselves.

Her sister Siham Lachgar writes:

“My sister Ibtissame Betty Lachgar has been detained for 45 days in cruel and degrading conditions that amount to psychological torture and violate her integrity. She is still being held in solitary confinement. This is inhumane! No human being should be treated this way.

My sister Ibtissame Betty Lachgar is a survivor of Ewing’s sarcoma, a bone cancer diagnosed when she was 20 years old. She has been living with a disability ever since and wears a prosthesis on her left arm. In France, she has ALD status, which is a long-term illness.

The latest medical reports warn of major osteolysis of the distal humerus, with no reasonable possibility of preservation. She needs an operation to replace her prosthesis. Without this surgery, the possible outcome is continued osteolysis, mobilisation of the stem outside the humerus and infections.

What does this mean? Without appropriate intervention, she risks losing her arm.

All of this causes severe night-time pain and she is dependent on others for many everyday tasks.

Her conditions of detention make this situation even more alarming. She is subjected to a particularly harsh regime that further weakens her condition:

She still has no mattress to sleep on, must take her walks alone, and is only allowed two telephone calls per week, lasting a maximum of ten minutes each, and only to a single number. This is deliberate isolation, cutting her off from us, her family, and her support network. In contrast, other inmates clearly have access to the telephone every day and can call up to five numbers.

Such deprivation of contact and social stimulation inevitably leads to serious psychological consequences. Beyond the operation and the specialised medical care essential to her condition, she needs appropriate psychological support, as recommended for people with chronic and disabling illnesses. Denying her this care jeopardises not only her physical health but also her mental health.

Why is my sister Ibtissame Betty Lachgar being subjected to harsher treatment? The only explanation is that this is punishment, not for what she has done, but for who she is and what she represents.”

Take Action to demand Betty’s immediate release and decriminalise blasphemy

We are calling on all freedom defenders, organizers, content creators, and allies around the world to join Ex-Muslims International to:

  • Demand the immediate release of Betty in Morocco by urgently contacting lawmakers, leaders and changemakers
  • Sign the Petition
  • Put international pressure on Morocco and theocratic governments everywhere to uphold human rights, not religious dogma
  • Commit to secularism and push for an end to all apostasy and blasphemy laws everywhere
  • Share art, music, posters and creative content on social media in support of apostasy, blasphemy and freedom for Betty
  • Post a video with your message of solidarity with Betty, her incredible work with MALI (Mouvement alternatif pour les libertés individuelles) which she co-founded, and the human rights and freedoms she stands for
  • Coordinate and join protests at Moroccan embassies
  • Use relevant hashtags: #FreeBetty #الحرية_لإبتسام
  • Copy and share the #FreeBetty social media posts below
  • Share this letter to the government of Morocco by Ex-Muslims International

Social Media Post Suggestions

Short Social Media Captions:

  1. Betty Lachgar is jailed in Morocco for “blasphemy” — and denied urgent cancer treatment. Her health is at risk. She must be freed now. #FreeBetty
  2. Blasphemy and apostasy laws silence millions and destroy lives. They have no place in the 21st century. Stand with Betty and demand change! #FreeBetty
  3. Betty’s voice is silenced, but ours is not. Post your photo with a sign saying #FreeBetty to show she is not forgotten.
  4. Blasphemy and apostasy laws criminalize freedom of expression and legalize violence. Betty Lachgar’s sentencing shows why they must end. #FreeBetty
  5. Betty is a cancer survivor and needs urgent medical care. #FreeBetty
  6. Blasphemy is not a crime and no one should be jailed for a t-shirt! #FreeBetty
  7. If Betty can be imprisoned for a t-shirt, any of us could. #FreeBetty
  8. Decriminalise Blasphemy! Release Betty! #FreeBetty

Suggestions:

  • Share one per day across platforms → keeps the campaign in feeds.
  • Ask partners and allies to repost and share so momentum builds.
  • Pair captions with an image (Betty’s photo, campaign poster, solidarity photo).

Longer Social Media Caption

Betty Lachgar, a Moroccan feminist and human rights activist, has been imprisoned on blasphemy charges since August. She is a cancer survivor who still requires ongoing medical care — care now at risk because of her detention.

This is not just about one woman. Blasphemy, apostasy, and anti-LGBTQ+ laws silence millions worldwide. They violate the most basic human rights and dignity, just as slavery and trafficking once did.

Betty’s case is urgent. Her health and freedom are at stake. But it is also a symbol of a wider fight for freedom of belief, freedom of expression, and equality for all.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Sign and share the petition.
  • Post your photo with a sign saying #FreeBetty.
  • Write to your MPs, UN, and NGOs using the template letters.
  • Keep the conversation alive on social media.

No one should face prison — or be denied essential medical care — for their thoughts, beliefs, or identity. Let’s raise our voices together!

#FreeBetty

EX-MI Updates

Some updates from around the world

Freethinkers International
Freedom of expression lives where offence begins: In defence of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar
https://freethinker.co.uk/2025/09/freedom-of-expression-lives-where-offence-begins-in-defence-of-ibtissame-betty-lachgar

The Independent
Family of cancer survivor jailed over ‘Allah is lesbian’ T-shirt fears for her health behind bars
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/ibtissam-lachgar-morocco-islam-prison-b2821042.html

Freedom from Religion Foundation
FFRF urges global action for Moroccan activist given 30 months for ‘blasphemous’ T-shirt
https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-urges-global-action-for-moroccan-activist-given-30-months-for-blasphemous-t-shirt/

National Secular Society (UK)
NSS calls on Moroccan ambassador to free ‘blasphemy’ prisoner
https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/08/nss-calls-on-moroccan-ambassador-to-free-blasphemy-prisoner

Charlie Hebdo
« Allah est lesbienne », Ibtissame Lachgar, militante féministe dans les geôles de Mohammed VI
https://charliehebdo.fr/2025/08/international/afrique/allah-est-lesbienne-ibtissame-lachgar-militante-feministe-dans-les-geoles-de-mohammed-vi/

AP News
A Moroccan court on Wednesday rejected a request to release a woman on trial for blasphemy despite concerns about her health and the risk of amputation.
https://apnews.com/article/fdc38b2d491ae2c0ec3b6c565b3d3d9b

El País (Spain)
The Moroccan judiciary keeps Ibtissam Lachgar in prison, the activist who appeared with the slogan ‘Allah is lesbian’ despite her serious health problems.
https://elpais.com/internacional/2025-08-27/la-justicia-marroqui-mantiene-en-prision-a-ibtissam-lachgar-la-activista-que-se-exhibio-con-el-lema-ala-es-lesbiana.html

France24
Moroccan feminist accused of ‘offending Islam’ denied medical release despite health concerns.
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250827-moroccan-feminist-accused-of-offending-islam-denied-medical-release-despite-health-concerns

The New Arab
Despite surviving cancer and facing the risk of losing her arm, Moroccan feminist Ibtissame Lachgar has been denied release over blasphemy.
https://www.newarab.com/news/moroccan-feminist-health-risk-denied-release-over-blasphemy

Maghrebi
Moroccan feminist jailed for blasphemy triggers international outcry.
https://maghrebi.org/2025/08/27/moroccan-feminist-jailed-for-blasphemy-triggers-international-outcry

National Secular Society (UK)
A woman has been arrested in Morocco after wearing a t-shirt with the words ‘Allah is lesbian’ — a stark reminder of the cruelty of blasphemy laws.
https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/08/woman-arrested-in-morocco-after-wearing-allah-is-lesbian-t-shirt

Ex-Muslims North America
Betty Lachgar is in solitary confinement for nothing more than a t-shirt — a brutal display of apostophobia and repression.
https://exmuslims.org/newsletter/the-trial-of-betty-lachgar-solitary-confinement-for-a-t-shirt

Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
Free Ibtissame Betty Lachgar! Protest at the Moroccan Embassy, London.
https://ex-muslim.org.uk/2025/08/27-august-free-ibtissame-betty-lachgar-protest

“A Woman in Rabat Jail” protest song

Listen to and share this song, “Una Mujer en la Cárcel de Rabat” by @Dici_Densias the protest theme for #FreeBetty is now available on all music platforms (except Apple).

IMPORTANT: The money you give for the plays and downloads is going to be allocated to actions for the awareness, defense and freedom of Betty.