February 19, 2010 | Sáhara Today

Ross informed the Security Council attempt to resume dialogue on Sahara

The UN special envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, informed the Security Council on his efforts to resume the negotiation process between Morocco and the Polisario Front over the future of the former Spanish colony.

Ross explained to the 15 members of the highest UN body in a closed-door meeting the results of the second two-day informal meeting held last week with parties outside of New York, diplomatic sources told Efe.

Those same sources said the special envoy, who met with the Council for almost a year, also explained the efforts it has made in the region since then, and the developments in the territory since the first meeting informal Rabat and the Polisario held last August in Austria.

Ross is scheduled to travel in the coming weeks back to the region to prepare for the possible convening of a third informal meeting, as agreed by the parties at the meeting held on 10 and 11 February in the town of Armonk, about 50 miles north of Manhattan.

February 8, 2010 | IAJUWS

ACTIVIST DETENTION OF SAHARA "HASSANE DOUEHI" in Tiznit (08-02-2010)

THE ACTIVIST Saharans M. DOUEHI HASSANE illegally detained by Moroccan police in the City of TIZNIT at 03:30 HOUR 08 February 2010.

Sahrawi activist human rights defender, M. HASSANE was arrested at dawn today, 08 February 2010, at 03:30 hours of the morning in the town of Tiznit, which had moved to Dolores Travieso Spanish jurists and Julio Vega Representatives of the General Council of Spanish Lawyers to assist the Appellate Trials are held today from 09:00 am, against Saharawi activists: JALIHENNA WARGZIZ, Chah AZMAN, HASAN EL HAIRACH, BAYNAHO FADLI, FAKALAH MOHAMED TAGUIOLAH, SAWAJ YAMAL, Chakra Yahdih, BOUKANIN AZIZ, CHIAHOU HAMZA, Taher Nourdin.

M. Hassane, and the two Jurists International Observers, Dolores Travieso and Julio Vega, were resting in the hotel "Idou" of Tiznit, when at 02:40 pm entered into the same group of 10 Moroccan police circulated the halls taking the same without permit passage of any person, and directly went to the room where we slept the Sahrawi activist M. HASSANE starting to smash the door. The Jurists International Observers, on hearing the shots went into the hall and the police asked what was the reason for his presence there, answering those who had come to "take the Sahrawi activist. Lawyers asked the police officers who identified and identify the reasons why it wanted to take the "Sahrawi activist," and they answered that are not identified, that THEY are the police and sent the crown prosecutor, and proceeded to open the door to the room of M. Hassane, and no information of rights or grounds for arrest, they placed the shackles on his hands and took him away from the hotel.

Finally the police told the Legal Observers that detention was unrelated to the Trials are held this day from 09:00 hours at the Court of Appeal in Tiznit, and M. HASSANE would be released at 13.00 today.

Tiznit, February 8, 2010.

CALL FOR TRIAL:

A. - Court Appeal in Laayoune (Western Sahara - Territories)
Tuesday, 26 January 2010: Appeal against the Trial of Sahrawi activist human rights defender
C. AMAIDAN


B. - Appellate Court TIZNIT (Morocco)
Monday, 08 February 2010: Appeal trial against a group of 10 activist Sahrawi human rights defenders, in the first instance sentenced to 3 to 4 years imprisonment for his participation in the month of November 2009 in the Moroccan city of Assa in concentrations Aminattou Haidar support.
The first session of the appeal trial was suspended on 18.01.2010 for not summoning of Defense Counsel by the Court. We recall that the identification was made on 17.01.2010 afternoon in the prison directly to prisoners.

As always it is important the presence of observers to the new International Jurists Trials, so everyone who can attend are advised to contact:

January 26, 2010 | Human Rights Watchs

Morocco: Lift Travel Restrictions on Sahrawi Activists

    
.

(Rabat) - Morocco should immediately end an effective ban on foreign travel against selected Sahrawi activists, Human Rights Watch said today. Since August 2009, the government has revived this arbitrary and repressive measure, which it had used frequently more than a decade ago but less frequently since then.

According to information obtained by Human Rights Watch, in recent months authorities have turned back at least 13 Sahrawi activists, whose papers were reportedly in order at the airport or land borders, confiscating passports from seven of them, without providing a legal basis for doing so. Authorities have also failed to approve passport renewal applications of at least three other Sahrawi activists, who said they had submitted all of the necessary paperwork weeks and in some cases more than one year earlier for a process that normally takes no more than a few days.

"Morocco is again holding the right to travel hostage to a political test," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "This is reminiscent of the days when authorities arbitrarily provided or withdrew the passports of dissidents at will."

The restrictions on foreign travel are part of a pattern of increased repression against Sahrawis who oppose Morocco's sovereignty claim over the Western Sahara and who favor self-determination for the contested territory. In a speech affirming the new, harder line toward Sahrawi activists, King Mohammed VI declared on November 6:

Now is the time for all government authorities concerned to strive doubly hard, show great resolve and vigilance, enforce the law and deal vigorously with any infringement of the nation's sovereignty, security, stability and public order....Let me clearly say there is no more room for ambiguity or deceit: either a person is Moroccan, or is not....One is either a patriot, or a traitor....One cannot enjoy the rights and privileges of citizenship, only to abuse them and conspire with the enemies of the homeland...

January 21, 2010 | La Provincia. Diario de Las Palmas

'Things are worse in the Sahara'

    Aminatou Haidar, yesterday during an interview in
Gran Canaria Airport, where he took a flight to Madrid
.

Haidar Aminattou be at least two weeks in Madrid and Andalusia for medical checkups and to renew his residence permit.

RUBÉN ACOSTA

- Did you feel in house arrest at his home in Laayoune since the end of the hunger strike so far?

- Yes For 31 days the police have been 24 hours, closing the street where my house and surrounding streets. Nobody can happen, even the family that has the name of Haidar sometimes not have missed them. The three or four times I left the house the police were after me, so much so that I was monitoring feared that imprison me again when I went to the airport or take off my passport as happened to other activists.

- But in the end the Moroccan authorities to let him out without major problems.

- After waiting 15 minutes Moroccan police was instructed to let me out. I'm sure that the authorization came directly from Rabat although officers did not say anything and gave me the passport. The head of airport police and made a call after a timeout they let me board.

- Do you think he can repeat the same problems entering Laayoune as happened last time?

- I am always ready for the worst, especially because now instead of changing Morocco's strategy has prevented other human rights activists out of Laayoune. There are two specific cases of activists who have been unable to leave or not they have renewed their passport and another seven are held in a very tough situation waiting to prosecute them in a military court in Salé prison, facing a possible sentence even death.

- President Zapatero said in Brussels that Morocco is a strategic ally for the European Union and that the Sahara conflict the UN must resolve what you think?

- It is true that the Sahara conflict must be resolved as the UN, but also that the Spanish Government has a responsibility on the case because from the viewpoint of international law the occupying country remains Sahara Spain and the Spanish Legal Administration . So the Spanish government must assume its responsibility in everything that is happening daily to these people who are suffering torture, repression and imprisonment daily. While there is a final settlement Morocco must respect human rights and have to stop the systematic human rights violations of the Saharawi people. Spain has to press now and not yesterday on Morocco to respect human rights and especially now that the Spanish Government chairs the European Union. While Morocco says it has advanced the autonomy statute for the Sahara continues to pursue its strategy of continuous violation of human rights not only against the Saharawi activists but also Moroccans, associations and journalists. The latest Amnesty International report shows that Morocco has not done anything to improve the human rights situation in their territory or in the Sahara, is a step back because the situation is worse and activists who advocate that the human rights are being repressed.

- Given this situation would revert to perform an action such as Lanzarote?

- You can talk about something that has not happened yet. My resistance is peaceful and I have to use many means to vindicate my rights and to denounce not only the hunger strike.

- You think you can reach an armed conflict in the area, as the Polisario Front warned?

- I can not answer because I'm not a member of the Polisario Front. It is the Polisario who must answer that question.

January 16, 2010 | United Nations

The UN Fourth Committee reaffirms the right of Western Sahara to the "determination"

The Committee on Special Political Questions and Decolonization of the UN (The Fourth Committee) has stated, in a resolution passed Wednesday night, that the conflict in Western Sahara is a case of "decolonization" and that therefore the Saharawi people has the "inalienable right" to "self determination".

In a resolution adopted by consensus in New York, the Fourth Committee, recalled "the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination and independence, according to the principles enunciated by the United Nations Charter in its resolution 1514 of December 14, 1960 , containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

The resolution warns of "the responsibility of the UN in regard to the people of Western Sahara. It commends the efforts of the UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon, and his personal envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, to find a "just, lasting and acceptable to all" to "ensure self-determination people of Western Sahara.

According to the Foreign Minister of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, the resolution is a recognition by the UN that the issue of Western Sahara is "the last colonial case in Africa entered on his agenda decolonization, "according to news agency SPS, next to the Frente Polisario.

January 10, 2010

Why is Polisario does not act against Spain to the UN.?

   Sid Hamdi Yahdih

The Western Sahara issue is a strange case: the Sahara, a country colonized by two powers at the same time. On one hand Spain and Morocco on the other. Under international law, the Western Sahara remained a Spanish colony, and Spain remained the colonial power until the territory achieved full independence Saharawi (UN refused in 1975 to recognize the tripartite agreement between Spain, Morocco and Mauritania. In 2000 the personnel manager of the UN Secretary General issued an advisory opinion saying that "UN has never recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.)

On the other hand, the other power, Morocco, the Saharan territory occupies a strange way, and consequently, the Sahara is the only country in history that undergoes two colonialism at the same time.

A lo largo de casi treinta cinco años los saharauis no hicieron gran esfuerzo para presionar más sobre España para convencerla de asumir sus responsabilidades hacia el territorio; centraron sus esfuerzos militares y políticos sobre Maruecos y olvidaron la presión sobre el otro colonialismo reconocido por NNUU: España.

The current Spanish now know almost nothing about the historic responsibility of their governments on the Western Sahara. The little I know Spanish, even the younger generations on the theme is' shameful retreat from Western Sahara 1975 "and nothing more.

Leaving Spain alone, over thirty-five, was a tremendous mistake. I think the logic was as follows: Morocco to fight tooth and nail and press on Spain at the UN politically and within Spain itself. Many might say what can they do to put pressure on the Saharawi Spain.?

Pressure on Spain, I mean, not made with economic sanctions and threats, the pressure on Spain is the simplest way to harness the solidarity of the Spanish people to our cause and make him understand that his government still has responsibility, as colonial power on the Western Sahara, and the people really help us a lot of pressure on his government. The sensitivity of the Spanish people about the role that his government still takes on the Sahara - as a colonial power, is absent altogether, and over time will forget the matter entirely between the Spanish. Now, new generations do not care much about Spanish politics, and if not we will double efforts to maintain solidarity, fail to take into consideration our cause.

Now, voices rise and Spanish Saharan say that you should treat Morocco and Spain as two colonialism of Western Sahara. That leads us to refer Spain and Morocco to the United Nations as responsible for the tragedy of the Sahrawi. In my personal opinion, I think the Polisario must formally refer Spain to the Security Council and perhaps colonialism UN organization that clearly recognizes that "Spain is still the colonial power in the territory."

Una denuncia oficial contra España al Consejo de Seguridad, por la parte del Polisario, podría recibir un eco muy importante dentro de la sociedad española, porque la presión del pueblo español puede afectar la política del gobierno en este asunto.

In short, Spain has to Morocco to be like before the UN and Security Council.

Sid Hamdi Yahdih

January 9, 2010

Morocco, Country of Human Rights

January 4, 2010 | USCRI

A Young Refugee's Fight to Return to a Homeland She Never Knew

   

Senia Bachir Abderahman's fondest childhood memories were the evenings she spent with her grandmother, both of them sitting on the soft, cool sand of the Algerian desert, looking up at the star-studded sky. Though she had completely lost her sight, her grandmother, Asisa, remembered the position of the planets and stars and would teach Senia about astronomy. But often, which is what Senia cherished the most about these nights, her thoughts would drift off into the past and she would start telling stories about the old country, a place Senia never knew.

"Everything was green and the air was so fresh," Asisa would start reminiscing about her home in the Western Sahara as a wide-eyed Senia, who was born and raised in the desert at Smara Refugee Camp, listened in awe. Her grandmother's descriptions posed a stark contrast against the desolate landscape of their refugee camp, where her family had been warehoused for decades, located in an inhospitable part of the Sahara dubbed "The Devil's Garden."

"People often ask me 'How can you love a place and consider it your home when you've never set foot on it?' and it's a valid question," said Senia. "But you just can't deny what my mother, grandmother, and great grandmother went through. For me, they are examples of a just struggle." And even though more than three decades have gone by since the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara began in the mid 1970s, Senia's family and tens of thousands of Sahrawis like them still wait to go back home.

January 4, 2010 | Neighbor Newspapers. Oklahoma Edition

Sahrawi refugees living in camps at the mercy of humanitarian aid

   

INTRODUCTION:The Sahrawi refugees living in the camps are at the complete mercy of outside humanitarian aid. They arrived in the camps with virtually nothing, and the same is true today. There is almost no commerce or employment of any kind in the camps. The Sahrawis receive most of their aid from the United Nations, Algeria and European NGO’s. There are reports of a high amount of aid theft by the Polisario, which obviously greatly reduces the amount of aid actually reaching the refugees which in turn results in malnutrition and cry for larger amounts of relief aid.

Sahrawis in the camps have no means of leaving the camps even if they receive permission to do so. The population is trapped in the harsh Sahara desert under these horrible conditions. This region has been known by many names but the best describing the area is the Devil’s Garden. Life under these conditions has produced a breeding ground for not only aid theft but drug and weapons smuggling, human trafficking, including slavery, and a recruitment center for al-Qaeda. The Sahrawis who remained in Western Sahara, called Southern Morocco by the Moroccans, live a different life. They are Moroccan citizens and have the same rights as anyone else in Morocco.

January 3, 2010 | Público

The Polisario asks Spain to promote a referendum Saharan

   Mohamed Jadad

The Polisario Front has asked the Government to promote during the Spanish EU presidency during this half the holding of a referendum for the Saharawi people to decide their future according to what is provided in the UN resolutions on the conflict with Morocco.

The functions delegated to the Polisario Front in Spain, Mohamed Jadad, made this request to consider that the European presidency is a "great opportunity to push in the sense of respect for international law" in Western Sahara.

Jadad, statements, has ensured that recognition of the right to self determination must be accompanied by the referendum to decide the Saharan independence, autonomy or integration with Morocco of the once Spanish colony until 1975.

Problem between Spain and Morocco
"We want to create problems between Spain and Morocco, you can have good relations, but Spain should assume its historical responsibility and pushing the referendum," said Jadad.
The leader of the Polisario has stated that the first summit between the EU and Morocco to be held in Granada on March 8 is an occasion to demand that the North African country that respects human rights in the occupied territories and end its repression.
If not fulfilled, he adds, Morocco can not be regarded as privileged partner who was granted the EU in October 2008.
Jadad has encouraged the Government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to "remove the fear" to Morocco and to prefer the bilateral relationship "of respect, not blackmail, nor at any price".
"Otherwise, it's like a dog that infuriated the bones must be given because otherwise he will start barking," he compared.

Separate treatment
Jadad believes the solution to the case of activist Aminatou Haidar, after the intervention of France and the Spanish government accepted that the law is the reigning Moroccan Sahara Occiental is proof that Morocco gives different treatment to its two European neighbors.
"Morocco, Spain whatever you do, reserve the word friend to other countries, not Spain," he summarized.
The delegate of the Polisario has insisted that "Morocco is not the administering power of the territory, but the occupier," according to the doctrine of the UN.
He has denounced the harassment is carried out by the Moroccan police Haidar's home in Laayoune, the capital of Western Sahara, after ending on 17 December to 32 days of hunger strike at Lanzarote airport. < br> If Morocco would continue with this harassment of Sahrawi activists Haidar and others, is "the germ of another problem," warned Jadad.
"Therefore it is urgent to take action on the matter and work toward a solution, not looking the other way," he concluded.

January 2, 2010 | Terc3ra Información

Sahrawi activist is a very serious health due to neglect

Salama Charafi activist Saharawi prisoner, 29, almost ten months has been suffering health problems that could lead to death due to medical negligence of police headquarters, the administration of prisons and rehabilitation, the Hospital Hassan II, Agadir Ibn Tofail Hospital and Marrakech.
These hospitals have refused to meet his deteriorating health.

Sahrawi activists who are imprisoned, including Charafi Salama, complain about the medical treatment they receive, because it makes no spending on drugs for the Saharawi prisoners who are ill.

Salama Charafi is in a very serious health condition, his body is swollen and inflamed due to kidney disease. It has a diseased kidney is unable to move, speak or eat blood and urine.

December 28, 2009 | IAJUWS

Message of thanks and appreciation of Aminatou Haidar

Finally, the battle ended as expected and the ship docked in the solidarity of the homeland territory of Western Sahara. During this voyage, Aminatou was only one person seeking help, someone who performed treacherous hands unjust orders dropped to the bosom of the unknown, a rough sea of ingratitude, treachery and conspiracy, or simply where human feelings are Discounted to the nursery of the worst animal instincts. A woman like me, exhausted from the torture of the secret dungeons, the sadism of the torturers and the insolence of ungrateful people, had no other way to deal with blind revenge is not to push with their united forces, or rather with what is left of them, to say no, no to the continued repression of the innocent, not to plot against the Sahrawi human rights defenders and their trial by a military tribunal, not that they endorse the charge of "intelligence with the enemy", not to be thrown against the walls of a prison and suffering from a deadly isolation from the world not to abandon Sahrawi political prisoners who die in silence in Moroccan prisons because of serious chronic diseases and not enough! More than thirty years of a tragedy that became my people's dreams into nightmares, nightmares between the diaspora and the unknown whereabouts of hundreds missing.

It is true that the expressions of my body withered wave conditions, however when the plane, driven me, landed at the airport in Lanzarote, my love of life did not subjugated to choose another path that was not the path of dignity and of stay in the posture and loyalty to all who preserve the memory of moments when we joined under torture, in cells or during trial, now overflowing with noble human meanings that instilled in us the values of generosity, warmth and selflessness. And it is those same moments, just communicate my entry into indefinite hunger strike at the airport and formed the platform of solidarity with Aminatou Haidar to support the battle of return, who wanted to repeat in the novelty-laden images of which says no borders that stop the massive flow of sublime and beautiful human emotions that cross countries and continents to dignify in Aminatou, man, to dignify it with maternity and the principles and values of a people called people Sahara. How powerful were these moments with their signs and signals, with its heat of homesickness and breast tenderness, which brings together the most beautiful images with the world that dictionaries define the meaning of life. You who I was staying in my refuge and you welcomed me in my adversity, I have given the reasons for the firm, strengthened in me the hope of perseverance and never felt I suffered alone. I abristeis the horizons of a new look to the meaning of humanity, humanity at enmity with all sorts of bigotry and narrow-mindedness and not recognize the relevance of any specificity rather than their ability to benefit the collective heritage of human beings as despite the diversity of cultures and religions, they can always be put at the service of tolerance, harmony and coexistence between peoples. And who flip through the size of the global alarm that you have imposed steadily for my triumphant return to my country unconditionally, Western Sahara, she discovers that her fruit led to an unprecedented response is proof once again of that people who believe in the sublimation of human beings and enshrine the values of justice and human rights are capable of imposing its alternatives.

To mark the new year 2010 and my best wishes and my warmest wishes for happiness, good health and tranquility, I turn to you all one by one, the entire team of solidarity of the Platform for Solidarity, the Robert Kennedy Center Justice and Human Rights Associations of Friendship with the Saharawi people in Europe, America, Africa, Australia, Latin America and Asia to the personalities awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, lawyers, doctors, artists and filmmakers ; to writers, teachers and students of universities, international organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Front Line, international institutions like the United Nations, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the High Commissioner for Refugees and the European Parliament, the Spanish Parliament and the Portuguese Parliament, feminist movements, trade unions and political parties and councils Spanish and Italian and foreign, to the Spanish media and all the feathers Algerians and clear at all the world that managed to open a Lucerne in the veil of darkness woven by the grotesque propaganda makhzan; to the Saharawi community and especially to the Saharawi community in Lanzarote and the people of Lancelot and whom you all forgot to mention, so I apologize, I congratulate on the success of the epic battle for the return and I express my gratitude and appreciation on my own behalf and on behalf of all the Saharawi people who, today, takes pride in the increased scope of its defenders and the accompanying hope to continue putting more pressure in order to rid the group of seven jailed in the Moroccan city of Salé and all Saharawi political prisoners in Moroccan jails other, and to discover the whereabouts of the disappeared Saharawi while waiting to meet their demand to enjoy their legitimate right to self determination by holding a free, fair and transparent.

And finally, I wish with all my heart that the new 2010 will be a year of peace and respect for human values and the year of the triumph of international justice.

The human rights defender Aminatou Haidar

December 27, 2009 | La Provincia. Diario de Las Palmas

Aminattou, NINE DAYS

PEDRO GUERRA.       Just over a week that the Sahrawi activist Aminatou Haidar came home in Laayoune. After 32 days on hunger strike since Morocco took his passport and banned him from entering his house, his return was seen as a peaceful victory for the Saharawi cause against the medieval Sultan Mohamed VI and the media had every luxury detail the events that occurred in the capital of Western Sahara.

Nine days after the news went around the world and put the raging conflict in the Sahara today, Haidar Aminattou live "prey" at his home in Laayoune, with access to your home completely blocked by the Moroccan repressive police and family movements totally limited. And yet you can hear a firm voice say "I have the courage of my conviction to continue with the advocacy of self-determination for the Saharawi people. I will never give despite threats of imprisonment, kidnapping, torture and exile" . He says a woman who also was 'disappeared' in Laayoune prison for nearly four years, blindfolded in a room with another group of activists, including her friend Djimi El Ghalia. But not afraid.

Hundreds of police patrolled the streets of the Casapiedra, where Haidar living in Laayoune, to monitor their movements, who visit and what we might feel and to normal, but it is certainly a serious violation of rights humans. And all this happens under the watchful eye of international journalists to cover a few days ago the news on the Sahrawi capital, which also were monitored at all times. Because Morocco is hidden is not the time to implement any kind of repression and torture against the Saharawi people.

Why today, with 2010 over Europe and the United States still allow this kind of nonsense only a hundred miles from Canary Islands? Why so Aminattou Haidar can enter your home and hug their children Spain has to issue a statement in which it notes that "the Moroccan law prevails in Western Sahara"? What is being recognized by it?

West fears to Morocco. And why does a blind eye to serious human rights violations that occur in Western Sahara. It is also why the Security Council of United Nations refuses to give powers to MINURSO in human rights. MINURSO, the sole mission of peace throughout the world who can do nothing to prevent atrocities committed against the civilian population. Nine days after Aminatou Haidar, as usual.

December 25, 2009 | El Mundo
 

Haidar denounces that Morocco remains under house arrest

    Haidar, at his home in Laayoune on his return.

She can not go out. Sahrawi activist Aminatou Haidar has ensured that the Moroccan police had surrounded his house and kept under house arrest since she returned home after the hunger strike held in Spain.

Haidar promised to redouble his struggle to defend human rights in the former Spanish territory despite what he describes as Moroccan repression.

"The siege continues. I am under house arrest. My relatives and neighbors have problems visit. The shops in my neighborhood are suffering from the blockade," said Haidar.

December 21, 2009 | El País

Feature: Fear of the police in Laayoune

    The Saharawi human rights activist
    Djimi El Ghalia, yesterday, in Laayoune.

Fear of police in Laayoune. Injured in the demonstrations to celebrate the return of Aminatou Haidar dare not go to the doctor for fear of being detained in hospital.

A Maalainin Busofa Moroccan police broke her nose during the crackdown on the demonstrations that were held in Laayoune on Thursday to receive Aminatou Haidar. When asked the doctors at the hospital a certificate of their injuries, they warned him they had orders to warn the officers to spot those who questioned the paper asked. The medical certificate is necessary to file a complaint: no interrogation would not certified and uncertified would not complaint. Busofa resigned and went home.

The number of wounded that night Saharan exceeds twenty, according to a provisional statement made by human rights organizations. Most are women and adolescents who have experienced trauma, fractures and dislocations. But, in view of the instructions of the doctors, not surprising that none of them have decided to sue the police. She was so frightened that some do not even have dared to go to hospital, have preferred to settle for the more discreet care of the healers.

However, several have indeed agreed to tell their situation to some NGOs. Hence, the authorities attempt to silence them. Yesterday, police stormed the house of Hamad Hamad activist when some journalists were interviewing him. The officials said that to talk to the press, human rights defenders needed special permission from the Government of Rabat, and ordered reporters to leave the home immediately.

Activists fear that when the media arrived in Laayoune to the return of Aminatou Haidar leave the city, and most already done so, the recrudescence police repression against them. Djimi El Ghalia, president of an NGO, tried to appeal across the country "to support that Spanish society has shown to Aminatou Haidar is still alive for all human rights defenders."

The health of Haidar, whom the agents remain confined to her home district of Zemla, worsened slightly in recent hours: it has a slight fever and low blood pressure. However, he agreed to make a brief statement by phone. "Mine" he said, "is a situation of imprisonment. The Moroccans want to tell the world I'm alone, I'm alone, that the Sahara is not with me. But it will get. The Sahrawi people are with me. They all feel like I, but did not show because they are afraid. "

December 11, 2009 | The Guardian

We will not bow to this Moroccan king

December 11, 2009 |

INHOFE CALLS FOR SWIFT ACTION IN AMINATOU HAIDAR HUNGER STRIKE

December 10 |

Aminatou Haidar OPEN LETTER TO THE SPANISH SOCIETY IN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

November 13, 2009 | IAJUWS PRESS

THE SAHARA FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AMINETTOU HAIDAR arrested at the airport of Laayoune by Moroccan police

Aminettou Haidar was arrested today, 13 November 2009, at 12:30 pm by Moroccan police in Laayoune airport, non-Autonomous Territory capital of Western Sahara, where he arrived on a scheduled flight from Gran Canaria, accompanied by Spanish journalist Pedro Barbadillo, and cameraman Pedro Guillen.

So far remains at facilities of the airport separately from the reporters traveling with her, and nothing is known of what will be its fate. Sources Moroccan officials have confirmed the arrest.

This arrest, joins the serious and unwarranted arrests by the Government of Morocco is making against the Sahrawi human rights defenders, in an unwarranted escalation of violence against the Saharawi civilians who seeks detained in "ghettos" by forcibly preventing any relationship with lawyers, observers, or any other person who is not designated under the orders of Moroccans, pretending to remain in silence and forgetting the plight of human rights violations experienced by the Saharawi civilians in the Western Sahara Territory Non-Self.

We recall that on 8 October 2009, Moroccan police proceeded to arrest the Group of Seven Pro Saharawi Human Rights Activists, who has decided to subject to military jurisdiction.

IAJUWS
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JURISTS FOR WESTERN SAHARA
ASOCIACIÓN INTERNACIONAL DE JURISTAS POR EL SÁHARA OCCIDENTAL

Western Sahara campaign in Britain

Developing World Stories - Tom Parry - Mirror.co.uk | 18/09/2009

Last week a delegation of MPs visited Downing Street to highlight the plight of Western Sahara's 165,000 refugees, homeless since being forced from their lands by Moroccan forces in 1975.

[Leer esta notícia completa/Read this complete news.]

Algeria Rejects Census for Sahrawi Refugees

Written by Rachelle Kliger. Published Sunday, September 13, 2009. THE MEDIA LINE

Algeria is refusing to comply with a request by the United Nations Refugee Agency to survey the Sahrawi refugees in its territory despite allegations their numbers have been exaggerated.

[Leer esta notícia completa.]

Morocco: Government Uses Torture to Silence Sahrawi Activists

AllAfrica.com. 10/09/2009

Konstantina Isidoros - Saharaui Moroccan security agents abducted and tortured a 19 year-old Sahrawi woman on 27 August for being a human rights activist, Konstantina Isidoros tells Pambazuka News.

[Leer esta notícia completa.]