Morocco detains Aminatou Haidar

13/11/2009 | Newsletter

Aminatou Haidar

ASVDH has learned that Aminatou Haidar, the multiple award winning human rights defender and president of the Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders, was arrested as she arrived at the airport of El-Aaiun in the Moroccan occupied Western Sahara on a flight from Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

Following a telephone call with her at 12h38 local time, Mrs Haidar confirmed that she was arrested with two Spanish companions.

[UPDATE: It appears that the Moroccan authorities have arrested her on allegations of not completing her customs form properly.]

ASVDH vehemently denounces these repressive practices that seek to hinder the freedoms of Western Saharan human rights defenders.

ASVDH calls for her immediate release, as well as the liberation of all Western Saharan political prisoners held by Morocco.