ASVDH Statement following the release of Brahim Sabbar

18 Jun 2008 | Information/Update

Brahim Sabbar

The Moroccan authorities released on yesterday, Tuesday, June 17, 2008, the Secretary-General of the ASVDH, victim of enforced disappearance in the secret jail Kalaat Megouna, Mr. Brahim SABBAR, after having completed a sentence of two years in prison, in the Black Prison of El-Ayoune.

After his release from prison Mr. Brahim SABBAR went to the house of Mr. Ahmed SBAI, a member of the ASVDH, but the security forces put the house under an intense siege and prevented citizens, coming to congratulate Mr. SABBAR, from approaching the house. Also, these forces assaulted on a number of them by beatings and insults, including Mr. Sidi Mohamed DADACH, Chairman of the Sahrawi Committee for the Support of self-determination, and Ms. Oum Alfadli Ali Ahmed Babou, sister of the human rights activist, Mr. Mustafa DAH.

And about ten o’clock am of the same day (nine GMT) Mr. SABBAR went to the housee of Mr. Embarek HIJI, a member of the ASVDH and a victim of enforced disappearance in Kalaat Megouna, which was also under more more intensive siege. The security forces, once again, prevented citizens from approaching the house, among them members of the ASVDH such as Mr. Brahim DAHANE, President of the ASVDH, Mr. Bachir LEKHFAWNI a member of the ASVDH and a victim of enforced disappearance in Kalaat Megouna, Mr. Dahha RAHMOUNI member of the Executive Office of the ASVDH, Mr. Mohamed Saleh DAILLAL member of the ASVDH and the Sahrawi Committee for the Support to Self-determination and a survivor of Kalaat Megouna, Ms. Najat AKHNIBILA member of the ASVDH and the Sahrawi Committee for the Support to Self-determination and a survivor of Kalaat Megouna, Ms. Dammaha AHMEIDAT member of the ASVDH and the Sahrawi Committee for the Support to Self-determination and a survivor of Kalaat Megouna, Mr. Mohamed Fadel AFREITIS member of the ASVDH and a survivor of Kalaat Megouna, Mr. Hassanna DOUIHI and his wife Mrs. Mina Aba Ali, Mr. Saleh ZEIGHEM member of the ASVDH and a survivor of Kalaat Megouna and his wife Embarka Alina Aba Ali.

Some young Saharans were arrested and assaulted and subjected to insults and verbal abuse before being released such as: the former political detainee, Mr. Nafai SAH and Mr. Lehcen SAHILI. Also, were assaulted all of Miss Khadija LEBEIHI and Miss Sana SBAI. Mr. Salek BAZID, a member of the ASVDH and a former political prisoner was also arrested from o’clock am to three o’clock pm (nine o’clock to two o’clock afternoon as GMT).

The ASVDH considers all that Mr. SABBAR suffered from, as well as all prevention and aggression that Sahrawi citizens suffered from, as flagrant violation of basic human rights and a continuation in the implementation of oppressive and systemised policy in the territory of Western Sahara and a continuity of the policy of a confiscation of all fundamental rights of of Sahrawi citizens and an extension of the discriminatory policy pursued by the Moroccan State against the ASVDH which declares:

- Its warm congratulations to Mr. Brahim SABBAR on the occasion of restoration of his liberty, which was robbed to him forcibly, and also to all members of his family
- Its condemnation of the brutal attack against Mr. Sidi Mohamed DADACH
- Its condemnation of repression and arbitrary detention suffered by a number of Sahrawi citizens, including members of the ASVDH, who came to congratulate Mr. SABBAR
- Its condemnation of the blockade imposed on the homes of two members of the ASVDH, Mr. Ahmed SBAI and Mr. Embarek HIJI
- Its solidarity with all victims of the repression of the Moroccan security forces
- Its demand to the immediate and unconditional release of all Sahrawi political detainees in Moroccan prisons
- Its claim that the United Nations should assume its political and legal responsibility towards the territory of Western Sahara and to work hard and seriously to provide protection for civilians and impose the respect of Saharawi political and civil rights as well as their economic, social and cultural rights

In the end, the ASVDH thanks and expresses its gratitude to all actors of human rights, organizations, associations and individuals who contributed over the plight of the arrest of Mr. Brahim SABBAR to provide support and backing him and us as an association. The ASVDH also reminds the Chairman of the Local Committee of branch of Boujdour is still under arrest, and was sentenced to three years imprisonment in effect.

From the Executive Office
Signature:
Ms. Adjimi Gaelic
Vice President