New York, Jan 23, 2012 (SPS) - Human Rights Watch (HRW) called Saturday on the Moroccan authorities to respect the right of assembly and protest in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, its 2012 World Report that assesses progress on human rights during the past year in more than 90 countries.
The Organization indicated that Moroccan authorities “still continue to suppress the peaceful demonstrations organized by the Saharawi citizens in the occupied territories of Western Sahara that demand self-determination and independence,” asking Morocco to stop violating the legitimate right to demonstrate which is provided by all international covenants.
It also expressed its concern on the detention of twenty-three Sahrawi civilians for their alleged role in Gdeim Izik camp and taking them to a military court, in addition to the detention of another 120 Sahrawi human rights activists for political reasons.
HRW demanded that Moroccan security services be accountable for using the excessive force, when dispersing the Saharawi demonstrators.
“Moroccan regime still prevents the establishment of associations and organizations of human rights in Western Sahara,” added the report. (SPS)
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