The intimidations continue in El-Ayoune

04 Aug 2007 | Information/Update

El-Ayoune – Western Sahara

The Moroccan repressive forces continue its policy of intimidation against the Sahrawi citizens and foreigners. Thus, the Italian judge, Mr. Nicola QUATRANO, who had just attended the trial of the Sahrawi students in Marrakech, was detained yesterday, Friday August 3, 2007, in El-Ayoune, at 21: 00 GMT. The Moroccan police force confiscated the car which Mr. QUATRANO was driving, as well as his papers, to force him to come to the judicial police station. Mr. QUATRANO had not committed any offence; he believes that this act is a part of the policy of intimidation which the Moroccan authorities practise against Sahrawis and foreigners who visit the territory.

We point out that the Sahrawi citizen, Mr. Hassanna DOUIHI, was also intimidated yesterday, Friday August 3, 2007, by Moroccan policemen who confiscated his papers to oblige him to follow them to the police station under pretext that the chief of the judicial police wants to speak to him. Mr. DOUIHI who was convinced not to have made any infringement refuses to surrender to this practice.

ASVDH expresses its concern with respect to these intimidations and invites the Moroccan authorities to put an end to this restrictive policy and puts UN in front of its political and legal responsibility and calls on this organisation to act urgently to find an authority which will take charge of the respect of human rights in Western Sahara.