Moroccan security forces continue crackdown on Western Sahara civil society and international observers

08/04/2010 | Newsletter

Thursday, April 8, 2010, around 17:00, Mr. Sidi Mohamed Daddach was returning from Smara in a taxi, accompanied by Mr. Rafael Antorrena, an international observer. They were search at the checkpoint at the entrance of El Aaiun and assaulted by hundreds of Moroccan settlers. They did not get out of the car and remained there, locked inside for 45 minutes, under shouts, spitting and insults. The settlers kicked the car, then pulled off the plates. The driver intervened to say he was Moroccan and had nothing to do with his passengers. The settlers then attached Moroccan flags on the back of the car.

At 20:00, the same day, Sultana Khaya returned from Boujdour with a group of 16 human rights defenders and militants. They were accompanied by Berta Herranz, an international observer. They were also attacked by hundreds of settlers at the check point into El Aaiun. Their windows were broken by thrown stones and sticks. The younger people were taken out of their cars and violently beaten by Moroccan settlers.

Mr. Hassana Duihi, member of ASVDH, said he was assaulted by Moroccan police. He was then taken and isolated by police. For nearly 45 minutes, he was beaten and interrogated in a van. He was abandoned far from the checkpoint. His glasses were broken and he has bruises on the face, especially near his eyes.

The 17 members of this group were all injured. They then went towards the seat of the Court of Appeal on Smara Avenue and ask to meet the Royal Prosecutor to present their complaints. They intend to put on record, to denounce and condemn these acts of violence against them.

Around midnight, Moroccan security forces again intervened violently against Sultana Khaya, her group of some activists and assistants under solidarity. The two international observers, Mr Rafael Antorrena and Berta Herranz, were arrested and taken to an unknown destination