Morocco bars Western Saharan former 'disappeared', rights activist from attending international conference

01/04/2009 | Newsletter

ASVDH strongly denounces the travel ban Morocco has placed on Mm Idagja Lachgar, member of the executive office of the ASVDH. This happened at the Mohammed V airport terminal 03. She was heading to Cork, Ireland, to take part at a conference organized by Ethical Development Action (EDA) « Global Resource, Human Rights and Development: The Conflict of Western Sahara ».

This travel ban is a Moroccan act of intimidation and harassment against defenders of human rights in Western Sahara in the framework of restricting freedom of movement domestically and internationally.

Mm Idagja Lachgar is a former victim of Morocco’s policy of enforced disappearance who spent almost 11 years, 1980 and 1991, in various secret detention centers in Morocco and Western Sahara, such as a PC ICD Laayoun, Derb Moulay Cherif (Casablanca), Agdez and Quelaat Megouna in Warzazate eastern Morocco.