Révolte des Sahraouis - Revolt of the Saharawis - Revuelta de los Saharauis

MISSION of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

 

NEWS

The Moroccan autorities ban the Sahrawi human rights defenders from meeting the UN mission members.

El Ayun, Western Sahara. May 18,2006.

Today, May 18,2006 at about 09:30 a.m. the Moroccan authorities banned "Le Collectif des Défenseurs Sahraouis des Droits de l 'Homme" from meeting the UN mission of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as it was already arranged betwwen the mission members and the Sahrawi activists yesterday afternoon to listen to  some victims' testimonies about the torture they were subjected to and the prison conditions they went through during the few last months.

In contrast, the Moroccan authorities allowed some pro-Moroccan associations to see the mission at the same time they banned the human rights defenders. [corr.]

Message from El Ayoune received on 18.05.06:

«This appeal we handed yesterday to the UN mision members we personally met, but we were forbidden to see them today by the Moroccan authorities at 09:30 while the pro-Moroccan associations were let in . » 

An Urgent Appeal

To the mission of the UN High Commisioner for Human Rights to the Western Sahara

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

While we, the Sahrawi human rights activists, are meeting you here in The Parador Hotel in El Ayun, the Moroccan police forces are leading a fierce repressive campaign against the Sahrawi citizens in Smara Street, Skikima Street, Maatallah neighbourhood and other districts in El Ayun.

Thus, we strongly urge you to do your best in order to witness these flagrant violations that are still taking place at this very moment on May 17, 2006 at 17:15 and to protect the Sahrawi citizens. We would also like to inform you that many Sahrawi demonstrators are being tortured, some of them kidnapped and many houses are being broken into.

These acts are being perpetrated by different Moroccan security forces as well as Moroccan settlers.

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

"Le Collectif des defenseurs Sahraouis des droits de l'homme "
El Ayun, Western Sahara.

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