Western Sahara: UPDATE imprisoned human rights defender Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza ends hunger strike

Front Line is relieved to learn that human rights defender Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza decided 20 May 2009, to stop the hunger strike which he commenced on 3 April 2009 and has caused a dramatic deterioration in his health.

Further Information

The decision to stop the hunger strike came after a meeting between Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza and the director of Ayat-Melol prison who promised that he would end the solitary confinement of the human rights defender, improve treatment and look into the complaint that, on 3 April 2009, Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza and nine other Sahrawi prisoners were subjected to torture in Enzkan prison. Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza is also to be brought before the court of Criminal Appeals in Agadir on 27 May 2009.

For further information please refer to the attached appeal on this case Urgent Appeal Western Sahara