Western Saharan human rights defenders Brahim Sabbar and Ahmed Sbai were brutally assaulted while in detention in the Laâyoune Civil, ‘Black Prison’ on 19 January 2007.

Reportedly, a number of police from the Mobile Intervention Forces entered a cell where the two human rights defenders and 16 other political prisoners were being detained and violently beat the prisoners with batons.

Front Line is particularly concerned for the safety of Brahim Sabbar, who apparently had his leg broken during the attack and has not been given access to medical treatment. The attack followed a month of demonstrations by the human rights defenders and the political prisoners at the “Black Prison”.

Brahim Sabbar is the Secretary General of the Association Sahraouie des Victimes des Violations Graves des Droits de l’Homme Commises par l’Etat du Maroc (ASVDH). He was arrested with Sbai Ahmed, a member of the Advisory Council of the ASVDH and a member of the Comité pour la Protection des Détenus de la Prison Noire, on 17 June 2006 in Boujdour, Western Sahara, following an inaugural meeting of the Boujdour branch of the ASVDH.

Brahim Sabbar was sentenced to two-year imprisonment on 27 June 2006 for assaulting and disobeying a police officer. An appeal court confirmed this decision on 20 July. Brahim Sabbar has denied the accusations and he says that he is being denied the right to read and verify the police report that was used as evidence against him, which is in breach of Moroccan law. Brahim Sabbar and Ahmed Sbai are awaiting a separate trial on charges, which include belonging to an unauthorized association and inciting violent protest activities against the Moroccan administration of Western Sahara.

Front Line believes that the persecution of Brahim Sabbar and Sbai Ahmed is directly related to their work on behalf of human rights in Western Sahara. Both men were arrested shortly after the ASVDH published a 121-page report that details allegations of arbitrary arrests, torture and ill treatment in Western Sahara.

Front Line calls on the Moroccan authorities to ensure that Brahim Sabbar receives the medical attention he requires and that the allegations of torture/ill-treatment be investigated and that everyone found responsible for abuses be brought to justice promptly and fairly.