All News items from Western Sahara

Western Sahara: Detained Saharawi Defenders send open letter of appreciation

Posted on 2010/05/10

The six Sahrawi human rights defenders detained in Salé prison in Morocco have sent an open letter of appreciation for all those who have been campaigning for their release, particularly during their 41 days of hunger strike, including Front Line. Read More

Western Sahara: UPDATE - Human rights defenders on hunger strike in protest at continued arbitrary detention

Posted on 2010/04/07

Front Line has received the following update in relation to the case of Western Saharan human rights defenders Mr Ali Salem Tamek, Mr Brahim Dahane, Mr Ahmad Anasiri, Mr Yahdih Ettarrouzi, Mr Rachid Sghayar and Mr Saleh Lebayhi who continue to be held in detention in Sale prison in Morocco. Read More

Western Sahara: UPDATE - Temporary release of Ms Dagja Lachgar while six other human rights defenders declare hunger strike in detention

Posted on 2010/02/02

On 28 January 2010, Saharawi human rights defender Dagja Lachgar was temporarily released following three months and twenty days in detention in Sale military prison, Morocco. Human rights defender Ali Salem Tamek, Brahim Dahane, Ahmad Anasiri, Yahdih Ettarrouzi, Saleh Lebayhi, and Rachid Sghayar, who remain in detention in Sale prison, have declared that they will commence a 48-hour hunger strike on 4 February 2009, in protest against the ill-treatment that they are subjected to in detention. Read More

Western Sahara: Letter of thanks from Aminatou Haidar to the many organisations and individuals, including Front Line, after her return home.

Posted on 2010/01/05

On her return to her home in Western Sahara after 34 days on hunger strike Aminatou Haidar issued the following letter of thanks to Front Line and the many international organisations and individuals who had supported her cause. "The battle has finally ended as we hoped it to end, and the triumphal ship of solidarity has anchored alongside the Saharawi homeland". Read More

Western Sahara: Expelled Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar allowed home

Posted on 2009/12/18

Front Line was pleased to receive confirmation today that human rights defender Aminatou Haidar has finally been allowed to return home to her family after 32 days on hunger strike. According to BBC sources Ms Haidar was able to speak to members of the media before boarding the flight. "This is a triumph for international law, for human rights, for international justice and for the cause of the Western Sahara" said Ms Haidar.

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Western Sahara - UPDATE – Human rights defenders Mr Ennaama Asfari released after serving a four month sentence

Posted on 2009/12/15

On 14 December 2009, human rights defender, Mr Ennaama Asfari was released after serving a four-month sentence in prison, having been found guilty of "contempt toward public officials while in the performance of their duty”. Read More

Western Sahara: Children of Aminatou Haidar appeal for support and for their mother's safe return

Posted on 2009/12/09

On 07 December the children of Aminatou Haidar, who is continuing her hunger strike to demand her right to return to Western Sahara, launched an appeal calling for the support of other mothers and children around the world. Read More

Western Sahara – UPDATE – Human rights defender Ms Aminatou Haidar expelled from Western Sahara

Posted on 2009/11/17

Front Line is extremely concerned to learn that human rights defender Ms Aminatou Haidar has been expelled from Western Sahara and deported to the Canary Islands following her arbitrary arrest on 13 November 2009 at Laayoune airport. Moroccan authorities held her for nearly 22 hours before sending her to Spain. Aminatou Haidar is the chairwoman of the Collectif des Défenseurs Sahraouis des Droits de l´Homme - CODESA (Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders). Read More

Western Sahara - UPDATE - human rights defender Sukeina Idrissi released after police interrogation

Posted on 2009/10/08

Front Line welcomes the release of human rights defender, Ms Sukeina Idrissi, on 1st October 2009, reportedly after police interrogation. Sukeina was kidnapped from her car on the morning of 1st October 2009 after attending a trial of three Sahrawi detainees. Read More

Morocco/ Western Sahara - UPDATE - Ennaama Asfari sentenced to 4 months while several trial observers briefly detained

Posted on 2009/08/31

On 27 August 2009, human rights defender, Mr Ennaama Asfari was sentenced to four months imprisonment by a court in Tan Tan, South Morocco having been found guilty of "contempt toward public officials while in the performance of their duty.” Read More

Western Sahara: Civil Courage Prize Awarded to Aminatou Haidar

Posted on 2009/08/18

The John Train Foundation has announced that the winner of the Civil Courage Prize 2009 will go to Aminatou Haidar. "Ms. Haidar is a courageous campaigner for self-determination of Western Sahara from its occupation by Morocco, as well as against forced "disappearances" and abuses of prisoners of conscience. An Award Ceremony will be held in New York City on October 20, 2009". Read More

Western Sahara: Update: Human rights defender Yahya Mohamed el Hafed assaulted after 15 year sentence confirmed

Posted on 2009/06/30

On 24 June 2009, the Agadeer Appeal Court confirmed the 15 year sentence against human rights defender Mr. Yahya Mohamed el Hafed. According to the information received, the day after the court session, Yahya Mohamed el Hafed was subjected to physical assault by the guards at the Ayat-Melol prison, where his head was hit against the wall. Read More

Western Sahara: UPDATE - Human rights defender Yahya Mohamed el Hafed in critical condition

Posted on 2009/06/02

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza has resumed his hunger strike and is in a critical condition in hospital. Read More

Western Sahara: UPDATE imprisoned human rights defender Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza ends hunger strike

Posted on 2009/05/22

Front Line is relieved to learn that human rights defender Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza decided 20 May 2009, to stop the hunger strike which he commenced on 3 April 2009 and has caused a dramatic deterioration in his health. Read More

Morocco/Western Sahara: Amnesty international demands investigation of alleged torture of Sahrawi human rights defenders

Posted on 2009/05/20

On the eve of the trial of Sahrawi human rights defender Yahya Mohamed El Hafed before the Court of Appeal of Agadir, Amnesty International is calling for a prompt and full investigation into torture allegations that marred his trial in first instance. In particular, Amnesty International urges that statements tainted by unexamined allegations of torture are disregarded. Read More