Sit-in repressed in El-Ayoune; Mrs Elghalia DJIMI blocked from participating with Frontline platform

09 Nov 2007 | Information/Update

El-Ayoune-Western Sahara

The Moroccan repressive forces have violently repressed today, Friday, November 9, 2007, a sit-in organized by the Saharawi citizens in the Linaache neighbourhood, around 13 GMT. The police officers invaded and ransacked several houses, including the home of the family AMIDANE and that of AHL KOUIRINA. Several arrests were also recorded, as well as several wounded. Ms. Aghlana BRAHAH, Mrs. Fatma AMIDANE and her two daughters (Mallak and Meima) were taken to the police station with another group of women and children.

In the context of this Moroccan repression against the Saharawi citizens and human rights defenders, Ms. Elghalia DJIMI (ASVDH vice-president) was prohibited today, November 9, 2007, to leave Western Sahara, because she was denied her work leave. Ms. DJIMI was invited to attend the fourth Dublin platform for human rights defenders, organized by the Irish Association for the Protection of human rights defenders “Frontline” between 22 and 24 November.

The provincial director of agriculture at El-Ayoune had also refused to Ms. DJIMI leave and permission to leave the country on November 15, 2007. The ban on Mrs. DJIMI falls within the context of intimidation and restrictions that the state imposes on Moroccan members of ASVDH. We recall in this regard that three members of ASVDH are currently in prison (Mr. Brahim SABBAR, Mr. Ahmed and Mr. SBAI; Mohamed TAHLIL) while Mr. Sadik BOULLAHI just been sentenced to six months of firm prison and 5000 dhs fine for the creation of an unauthorized association. We recall also that the Moroccan authorities still refuse to recognize this association.