Moroccan abuses in Western Sahara 'systematic', 'excessive' according to Human Rights Watch

15/01/2009 | Reports

Moroccan ‘Police systematically prevented or dispersed peaceful sit-ins or gatherings by groups that favor independence for Western Sahara. They often used excessive force in responding to incidents,’ writes Human Rights Watch in its new annual world report.

The Human Rights Watch report was released yesterday, January 14.

The report also notes that:

[Moroccan] Authorities generally tolerate the work of the many human rights organizations active in Rabat and Casablanca. They generally do not hamper foreign human rights organizations visiting Morocco, and often respond to their letters of concern. However, in Western Sahara surveillance is tighter and harassment of rights defenders more common. Authorities have refused to grant legal recognition to any Sahrawi organization dedicated to exposing Moroccan abuses. Authorities expelled on April 25 a delegation from France that had come to observe the trial of Naâma Asfari and that included members of pro-Sahrawi organizations.

Read the report here:
http://www.hrw.org/en/node/79248