Report of Sahrawi Victims of Human Rights Infringements in Smara During the Period of 28 May 2006 to 29 June 2006
20/07/2006 | Reports
Sahrawi Committee for the Defense
Of Human Rights in Smara
Western Sahara
During the Period of 28 May 2006 to 29 June 2006
This report is comprised of the following:
Introduction
I. Course of Events
II. Committed Violations from 28 May 2006 to 29 June 2006
III. Conclusion
IV. Remarks
V. Recommendations
VI. List names of the persons in charge for the aggressions.
INTRODUCTION
The Sahrawi Committee for the Defense of the Human Rights in Smara, Western Sahara, expresses its concern about the violations of the Human Rights in Smara. The Committee will clarify in its monthly reports witnessed human rights violations that have occurred in the period.
I- Course of Events
Tasked with role of collecting information concerning human rights violations and the testimonies of the victims, the Committee notes:
a)- the existence of a peaceful political movement
All violations followed demonstrations in Smara. The demonstrators were in favor of the self-determination of the Sahrawi people and displayed flags of the SADR (Saharan Arab Democratic Republic).
b)- details of the events between 28 May 2006 and the 29 June 2006.
• 28/05/2006: Detention of minor ZAINI ALI LANSAR at 20h30. He was transported to the police station where he was tortured for several hours before being released. He is 14 years old.
• 01/06/2006: Detention of CHEIKHI BRAHIM at 13h00. He was questioned before being released.
• 04/06/2006: Detention of EL ISSAOUI HAMMOUDI MOHAMED at 02h00 (morning). He was transported to the police station where he was tortured, with marks still visible afterwards, particularly on his knees and back. He was released at 06h00 (morning).
• 04/06/2006 : Detention of AAFIF ALI who was tortured in a Urban Security Group (GUS) vehicle. He was later freed.
• 05/06/2006 : Detention of MOUHINA BRAHIM at 16h00. He was subjected to psychological and bodily torture, particularly on his legs.
• 05/06/2006 : Forced entry of house of SAID BITA by GUS agents.
• 15/06/2006 : Several women were beaten and insulted by GUS agents. Among these women were BABA MAAIZIZA SAID, ATIQ ZAOURA KHATRI, SALKA MOHAMED FADEL.
• 15/06/2006 : Forced entry of the house of HBIBI LAAJIL, HAYDARI NADIF, HAYMADDAHA and BABOUZID MOHAMED SALEM.
• 20/06/2006 : Detention of FATAN FATMA ZAHRA by GUS agents. She was subjected to psychological and physical torture, particularly on her hips, legs and chest. She was also the victim of an attempted rape. She was transported to the hospital in an unconscious state.
• 21/06/2006 : Detention of BAHA MOHAMED. He was beaten on the head, back and legs. He was released incapacitated and was transported to a hospital.
• 21/06/2006 : Detention of MARZOUG KHATTAR by members of the Auxiliary Forces, rendering him to the Judiciary Police who tortured him. He suffered blows on his head and legs.
• 21/06/2006 : Attempted forced entry of the house of human rights activist and member of the Sahrawi Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Smara, EL BATAL SALEK. He was threatened with unemployment.
• 24/06/2006 : Detention of minor KARROUM MAHFOUD by the Chief of the 4th district. He was tortured for many hours before being liberated.
• 29/06/2006 : Removal of ZOGHAM EL WALI to the outside of Smara by unknown plainclothes agents in a GUS vehicle, (plate number P 147808) where he was tortured and threatened with execution before being released.
II- Committed Violations
a)- Violations of the right to public assembly and peaceful demonstration.
The majority of those detained were arrested following their participation in peaceful demonstrations.
b)- Use of violence.
Moroccan authorities used violence as a form of revenge against detainees held in police stations or by the Auxiliary Forces. These acts were in direct violation of the protocols and codes of conduct, from 17 December 1989, that regulate the use of violence and which strictly forbid its use by the involved authorities.
c)- Forced detention.
Several persons were detained for a day, two days or a few hours without being held in custody in accordance with legal procedures.
d)- Torture
The Committee has received testimony of several detainees confirming that they were tortured. The Committee notes that it is imperative to start investigating those persons accused of torture.
e)- Forced entry into homes.
Auxiliary Forces, Rapid Intervention Forces (GIR) and GUS forced their way into many homes. These violations are illegal and characteristically punitive and arbitrary.
III- CONCLUSION.
The Sahrawi Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Smara, Western Sahara, given the information it has collected, confirms that demonstrations were peaceful and that:
• The Committee condemns the violence, the torture and all forms of inhumane and degrading behaviors utilized by the Moroccan security forces upon the Sahrawi demonstrators;
• The Committee condemns the torture suffered by the arrested demonstrators committed in the buildings of the police as well as their vehicles and those of the Auxiliary Forces;
• The infringement of human rights included the right of peaceful assembly, the right to political activity and the right to secure household.
VI- RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Committee calls for the following :
• To open investigations against the policemen and the Auxiliary Forces responsible for these violations;
• To open investigations concerning the claims made by the victims in court;
• To open investigations concerning the tortured demonstrators and to hold the accused tortures responsible for the charges against them;
• For all local and international human rights associations and organizations to help protect human rights in Western Sahara.
V- LIST OF NAMES OF PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE VIOLATIONS.
- AZZOZI ABDELKADER : Chief, General Affairs division, Province of Smara
- EL GORD LAHSSEN : Secretary-general, Provincce of Smara
- IMAD MUSTAPHA FAKHRI : Commissar of GUS
- EL ARBIDI SALAH EDDINE : Chief, General Affairs division, Pashawiah
- ISHAK MOHAMED : Police Officer
- SARII SLIMAN : Police inspector
- CHAOUKI : Police inspector
- SAAOUDI : Police inspector
- REDOUAN : Police inspector
- EL HAMEL AHMED : Police inspector
- FAYSAL HOUSSEIN : Police inspector
