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Rights of Saharawi prisoners: An international mission notes numerous violations

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Paris, November 9, 2013 (SPS) - A report by an international mission from July 7 to 20 in Morocco, as part of "solidarity" with the Saharawi prisoners in Morocco, which has just been released, reported numerous cases of human rights violations by the Moroccan security forces and "intimidation" against members of this mission.

 

Consisting of a delegation of 14 members of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from France, Germany, and Australia, the international mission which targeted several prisons of Morocco, is part of the campaign "Writing to free them," a source explained.

 

The objective of this mission is to deliver the Saharawi political prisoners mail intended for them, to visit their families, to the Moroccan and Sahrawi human rights associations, and finally getting to economic facilities (fishing ports) and cultural sites in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.

 

The authors of the report noted many cases of violations of human rights, including of "barriers to free movement," of "increased surveillance," of "intimidation", "non respect of the rights of prisoners," " violence and threats against the families of prisoners," this comprehensive report of the mission said.

 

Members of the international mission who visited prisons of Ait Melloul, Tiznit, stressed, moreover, non-compliance of the "right to letters" for prisoners yet guaranteed by international conventions "ratified by Morocco."

 

They also reported cases of "intimidation" to the Sahrawis and Moroccans who "received" or "testified" for the international delegation of "exaggerated checking," "prevention of any activity related to Western Sahara" and "increased surveillance of international observers." (SPS)

 

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