Wave of abuse against Saharawi human rights activists
YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED in tackling the escalating wave of repression being perpetrated against Saharawi human rights activists by the Moroccan authorities.
On the 6th November, in a speech to mark the 34th anniversary of the Green March, King Mohammed VI signalled an even more aggressive approach towards Saharawis who oppose the Moroccan occupation, "One is either a patriot, or a traitor".
In October and November 2009 alone there have been numerous violations of human rights with serious attempts to silence Saharawi human rights activists. These include:
The detention of 7 prisoners of conscience who may face the death penalty. 7 representatives of several key Saharawi human rights organisations were arrested on the 8th October on their return from a visit to the refugee camps in Tindouf. The 7 are facing fabricated charges relating to the security of Morocco including attacking the country’s “territorial integrity”. They are being sentenced in a military court and if found guilty could face the death penalty. Unfair trials are commonplace in Western Sahara.
The expulsion of prominent Saharawi human rights activist and former Nobel Peace Prize nominee Aminatou Haidar from Western Sahara on the 14 November. Mother of two young children, Aminatou was expelled from the country after returning from a visit to the USA to collect the 2009 Civil Courage Award. This was a result of her writing Western Sahara on her landing card, and therefore failing to acknowledge Moroccan sovereignty. She is currently on hunger strike at Lanzarote airport with growing fears for her health.
The enforced disappearance and possible torture of Ahmed Mahmoud Haddi on the 28th October. He was abducted on 28 October by people suspected of being members of Moroccan security forces.
The arrests and possible torture of Mohamed Baikam and Ahmed Salem Fahime. Known human rights activists, they were arrested at the Mauritanian border on the 21st November by Moroccan authorities.
The obstruction of access for foreign journalists and human rights lawyers to Saharawi activists – there have been at least 5 cases since 19th October
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Please write to your MP Ask them to write to Ivan Lewis MP, Minister of State at the FCO, asking the UK to express to the Moroccan authorities at the highest level its firm condemnation for the regression of human rights, and call for the UN to implement human rights monitoring within the region.
Let the Moroccan authorities know their actions have not gone unnoticed. Write to King Mohammed VI, stating your condemnation of the above human rights abuses and the ongoing repression of the Saharawi people. Please send copies of any correspondence to the Western Sahara Campaign.
His Majesty the King, Mohammed VI Bureau de Sa Majesté le Roi Palais Royal Rabat, Maroc / Morocco
Fax: +212 537 76 8515
Join a human rights delegation to the occupied territory. International observers are essential in monitoring the situation and in helping to prevent incidents such as unfair trials. We are arranging a delegation to the region to show international solidarity against the current wave of abuse. For more information please contact laiasah@yahoo.es or anaarenas_photo@hotmail.com
WESTERN SAHARA CAMPAIGN UK
The Western Sahara Campaign works in solidarity with the Saharawi people to generate political support in order to advance their right to self-determination and to promote their human rights.
Our role is to lobby the UK Government and the EU. You can help us to ensure the UK does not ignore the voice of the Saharawi people.
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