A coalition of secularist, interfaith and human rights organisations has called on the UK government to intervene in the case of Moroccan activist Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar, who has spent more than a year in prison after sharing a photograph of herself wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Allah is Lesbian”.
The National Secular Society (NSS) and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) have coordinated an open letter to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband urging what they describe as “urgent and decisive UK intervention” to secure Lachgar’s release.
Signed by 15 organisations including Index on Censorship, Humanists International and the All Faiths Network, the letter argues that Lachgar’s imprisonment represents a “grave violation of international human rights law” and creates a “dangerous extraterritorial precedent” that could have implications for people living in the UK.
Lachgar, a prominent human rights activist, was arrested in August 2025 and later sentenced to 30 months in prison under Article 267-5 of Morocco’s Penal Code, which criminalises insults against Islam. The conviction stemmed from a photograph posted online showing her wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Allah is Lesbian” while in London.
According to the campaigners, the T-shirt was originally worn in solidarity with two lesbians sentenced to death in Iran and was intended as a protest against persecution based on sexual orientation.
The joint letter warns that Morocco’s decision to prosecute Lachgar for conduct that took place outside the country effectively extends its blasphemy laws beyond its borders. The signatories argue this could leave British citizens and residents vulnerable to arrest upon entering Morocco for expressions that are lawful in the UK.
Campaigners have also raised concerns about Lachgar’s health while in prison. A survivor of bone cancer, she relies on a prosthesis in her arm, which supporters say has become completely loosened during her incarceration.
An independent medical report cited by the groups warns that, without specialist treatment, Lachgar faces worsening chronic pain, total loss of function in the affected arm and potentially life-threatening complications, including sepsis, amputation or death.
The letter argues that the medical care available to Lachgar falls well below international standards for the treatment of prisoners and raises serious concerns about inhuman and degrading treatment.
The organisations are calling on the UK government to press for Lachgar’s immediate and unconditional release, ensure she receives specialised medical care and urge Morocco to repeal its blasphemy laws.
The appeal follows a presentation on Lachgar’s case by the NSS and CEMB at the UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum in Parliament last month.
Meanwhile, an Avaaz petition urging Moroccan authorities to grant Lachgar a royal pardon has attracted nearly 390,000 signatures.
In a joint statement, NSS chief executive Stephen Evans and CEMB spokesperson Maryam Namazie said: “Betty Lachgar’s imprisonment is unjust, life-threatening and incompatible with Morocco’s international obligations.
“It also places people in the United Kingdom at risk by establishing the precedent that lawful expression here may lead to prosecution abroad.
“We urge the UK Government to act without delay, and for an end to blasphemy laws worldwide.”
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