Western Saharan hunger-strikers enter fourth week in the face of Moroccan intransigence

28/10/2009 | Newsletter, Political Prisoners

Today is the twenty-third day of hunger strike for three Western Saharan political prisoners detained in the Moroccan administered civil prison (the Black Prison or Carcel Negra) of El-Aaiun, Western Sahara.

They demand the improvement of their conditions of detention, for better treatment of political prisoners and isolation from common law prisoners.

ASVDH has been informed of the alarming deterioration of their health in the face of an intransigent prison administration. The Black Prison is notorious for its inhumanity, as seen in photographs taken in 2005.

Mohammed Berkan, 22, suffers from a serious heart problem and has frequently lost consciousness.

Sheikh Amidan, 26, suffers from severe pain in the kidneys and was taken yesterday to the prison infirmary.

Bashri Ben Taleb, 27 years, has difficulty speaking and breathing.

According to the families of political prisoners, they have obviously lost weight since the start of their hunger strike.

ASVDH appeals to all bodies, organizations and individuals around the world to take action to preserve health and save the lives of inmates.

Likewise, ASVDH accuses to the Moroccan state full responsibility for any complication of the health of young prisoners.

El-Aaiun – Western Sahara
October 27, 2009