EU Parliamentarians call on Morocco to allow Haidar back to Western Sahara, free political prisoners

19/11/2009 | Solidarity-Support

The Sahrawi activist and former political prisoner Ms. Haidar was arrested by Moroccan authorities on the 13th of November, at the airport, in El Aaiun and was deported to Lanzarote, Spain. The arrest occurred while she was returning from a visit to several countries, including the United States, where she was awarded the « Civil Courage Award 2009″ by Train Foundation.

During this journey, Ms. Haidar has once again denounced the repression perpetrated by the Moroccan authorities in the Occupied Territories of Western Sahara and has also launched an urgent appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of seven activists from advocacy organisations, human rights groups and civil society, who were detained on the 8th of October. These activists, who have gathered information on violations of human rights in Western Sahara, will have to answer before a military tribunal for several charges and they risk the death penalty.

We, Members of the European Parliament, urge the Moroccan authorities to:

- Allow, without any delay, the return of Ms. Aminatou Haidar to her country, Western Sahara

-Comply with Article 9 of the Moroccan Constitution and its obligations under Article 19 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, by respecting freedom of expression and by immediately releasing Alnasiri Ahmed Brahim Dahane, Yahdih Ettarouzi Saleh Labihi, Dakja Lashgari, Sghir Rashid, Ali Salem Tamek and all other Saharawi political prisoners

-Allow freedom of access and movement within the territory for international observers and special correspondents · take concrete measures in order to ensure that all Sahrawis can exercise their right to freedom of expression, association and assembly enshrined in international law

-Allow Sahrawi’s human rights defenders to collect and disseminate information and opinions on human rights issues without fear of being brought to trial, harassed or subjected to intimidation, according to the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on the 9th of December of 1998.

Brussels, 18th of November 2009

Ana Gomes
Miguel Portas
Raul Romeva
Willy Meyer
Judith Sargentini
Ska Keller
Jill Evans
Barbara Lochbihler
Ulrike Lunacek
Nicole Kiil-Nielsen
Frieda Brepoels
Michael Cashman
Jean-Paul Besset
Françoise Castex
Bart Staes
Oriol Junqueras Vies
Heide Rühle
Norbert Neuser
Rui Tavares
Marisa Matias
Patrick Le Hyaric
Eva-Britt Svensson
Lothar Bisky
José Bové
Linda Mcaven
François Alfonsi
Pascal Canfin
Yannick Jadot
Catherine Grèze
Guido Milana