Bir Lahlou (liberated territories), April 3, 2016 (SPS) The Saharawi National Commission on Human Rights (SNCHR) called on the President of the African Commission on Human Rights and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) Pansy Tlakula to "urgently" intervene to end the tragedy of the 13 Saharawi political prisoners on hunger strike since 1 March, in a letter a copy of which received by SPS.
"Time passes and the responsibility of the entire international community, particularly the African Union and its specialized mechanisms, need to intervene immediately to save innocent people from oppression and injustice and to work for the implementation and establishment of an independent international mechanism to monitor and report on the situation of human rights in Western Sahara ", indicated the letter.
SNCHR held the Moroccan State fully responsible for the consequences that may result from the strike of the Saharawi political prisoners or their families, including psychological, physical harm, added the letter. It also calls "urgently" on all members of the ACHPR to "intervene immediately to put an end to these inhuman practices and contribute to saving the lives of peaceful political prisoners exposed to slow death by the Moroccan government, which continues to deliberately ignore their legitimate demands."
SNCHR recalled that the health conditions of the Saharawi political prisoners has seriously deteriorated, warning against the dire consequences, especially that of former prisoners who suffer from serious diseases and the effects of detention and torture in Moroccan prisons.
It considered that despite the contempt of the Moroccan State against the grave situation of the Saharawi political prisoners on hunger strike and their legitimate demands, is a "dangerous act" which "can only be described as a flagrant violation of human rights". (SPS)
062/090/TRA