Western Sahara

Front Line is deeply concerned by the news of the on-going detention of Saharwi human rights defender Shikhin Brahim. According to information received, as Front Line was visiting the region, on 21 September 2008, a group of Western Saharan activists, which included human rights defenders, organised a peaceful demonstration in the town of Smara, following which the Moroccan security services launched a campaign of arbitrary arrests of several defenders and attacked several homes. While Front Line welcomes the release of nearly all of those arrested, Shikhine Brahim reportedly remains in detention at the El-Áaiun prison. Shikhine Brahim is a school student and member of the Committee for The Protection of Human Rights in Smara, Western Sahara. 

Human rights defender, Mr Ennaama Asfari, has been informed by the Moroccan authorities that he will face trial on 27 August 2009 at the Tan-Tan court. 

Update

Front Line welcomes the decision of the Moroccan authorities to reinstate the monthly social support for Abdulla Al-hamdi, member of the Committee for Protection of Human Rights in Smara-Western Sahara. However, Front Line regrets that other members of this group and other Sahrawi human rights groups are reportedly still subjected to suspension of social support apparently as a means to hinder their human rights activities, including, Saeed Albelal, Mohamed Alsa’ed, Mariam Ment Jaffre, Abdullah Al-hamdy, Engiya Boukhars and Sakina Jedahlo Al-Edreesi. 

Front Line would like to welcome the release of human rights defender Brahim Sabbar on 17 June 2008 after serving a two-year sentence in the Civil Prison of El-Ayoune, also known as the “Black Prison”. However, Front Line is concerned that his freedom of movement is still highly restricted. Front Line is also deeply concerned following reports that human rights defenders, including members of the Association Sahraouie des Victimes des Violations Graves des Droits de l’Homme Commises par l’Etat du Maroc (Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations Committed by the Moroccan State) (ASVDH) have been refused access by police officers to visit him and some have been subject to attacks.