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Morocco: Violent raid on the premises of the local branch of Moroccan Human Rights Association in Bou Arafaposted on: 2011/11/29

On 20 November 2011, the Moroccan security forces raided the offices of the local branch of the Association Marocaine des Droits Humains – AMDH (Moroccan Human Rights Association) in the town of Bou Arafa, and launched physical and verbal attacks on those present.

Western Sahara: Arrest and incommunicado detention of four human rights defenders as part of ongoing government crackdownposted on: 2011/10/10

On 2 and 3 October 2011, human rights defenders, Messrs Kamal Al Tarayh, Abd Al Aziz Barrai, Al Mahjoub Awlad Al Cheih and Mohamed Manolo were arrested by the Moroccan authorities in different areas of Dakhla town, Western Sahara. It is reported that they are currently being detained incommunicado and, as such, their current whereabouts are unknown.

Western Sahara: Arrest and incommunicado detention of four human rights defenders as part of ongoing government crackdownposted on: 2011/10/06

On 2 and 3 October 2011, human rights defenders, Messrs Kamal Al Tarayh, Abd Al Aziz Barrai, Al Mahjoub Awlad Al Cheih and Mohamed Manolo were arrested by the Moroccan authorities in different areas of Dakhla town, Western Sahara. It is reported that they are currently being detained incommunicado and, as such, their current whereabouts are unknown.

Further Information

Kamal Al Tarayh is a member of the Western Sahara Observatory, while Abd Al Aziz Barrai, Al Mahjoub Awlad Al Cheih and Mohamed Manolo are all affiliated with the Organisation Against Torture in Dakhla.

On 3 October 2011, at approximately 1 am, Moroccan police arrested Kamal Al Tarayh at his home in the neighbourhood of Umm Al Tunisi. Later that morning, at approximately 6 am, the same police contingent arrested Abd Al Aziz Barrai at his home in the same neighbourhood. On the previous day, Moroccan authorities had arrested Al Mahjoub Awlad Al Cheih and Mohamed Manolo in Dakhla. Reportedly, police did not present any warrants for these arrests.

Morocco: Physical assault of human rights defender Ms Buthaina Amina Elmakoudiposted on: 2011/03/02

On 26 February 2011, human rights defender Ms Buthaina Amina Elmakoudi was physically assaulted while taking part in a peaceful protest in Agadir, Morocco. Buthaina Amina Elmakoudi is the director of the Agadir section of the Association against AIDS, and has also worked with the Democratic League of Women's Rights, Moroccan Association for Human Rights, and the Moroccan Forum for Truth and Justice.

Further Information

It is reported that on 26 February 2011, Buthaina Amina Elmakoudi and a number of others were attacked by police while taking part in a peaceful demonstration calling for democratic and social reform and human rights in Agadir.

Buthaina Amina Elmakoudi was beaten over the head, resulting in her falling unconscious for several minutes, a broken nose and facial bruising. However, it is alleged that upon arriving at Hassan II hospital, she and several others who had been similarly assaulted were denied treatment or medical reports confirming their injuries.

Trial of Sahrawi human rights defenders Ali Salem Tamek, Brahim Dahane and Ahmed Naciri about to start

REPORT DIRECTLY FROM CASABLANCA

At the time of writing, the Saharawi human rights defenders - Ali Salem Tamek, Brahim Dahane and Ahmed Naciri – are still in jail. They have not yet been transported to the court.

However, others have arrived at the court. Only 25 minutes ago, Mrs. Aminatou Haidar, the president of CODESA (Saharawi Collective of Human Rights Defenders) arrived on the scene.

There are lots of journalists and international observers (from Spain, Sweden, Italy ...) waiting for the trial to start. Moroccan human rights organisations are also present, as are representatives of different legal bars from Morocco.

Moreover, many SahArawi from the occupied territories have made the trip to Casablanca in support of the human rights defenders. Saharawi students have come to Casablanca for the very same reason.

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Three Saharawi activists imprisoned for defending human rights in Western Saharaposted on: 2010/10/15

On 8 October 2009, seven human rights defenders from Western Sahara were arrested at Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca, Morocco, allegedly by Moroccan security agents. All seven defenders advocate the right to self determination for the Saharawi people living in Moroccan controlled Western Sahara.

Four of the defenders were released on bail but are still facing charges. The remaining three men, Ali Salem Tamek, Brahim Dahane and Ahmad Anasiri, are still imprisoned awaiting trial.

It is thought that the arrest of the seven human rights defenders is directly linked to the visits they had made to Sahrawi refugee camps in south-west Algeria during their stay abroad.

On 7 January 2011, the ongoing trial of seven Saharawi human rights defenders was adjourned until 14 January. The human rights defenders' defence team boycotted the hearing in protest against alleged due process violations.

Western Sahara - UPDATE – Human rights defenders Mr Ennaama Asfari released after serving a four month sentenceposted on: 2009/12/15

On 14 December 2009, human rights defender, Mr Ennaama Asfari was released after serving a four-month sentence in prison, having been found guilty of "contempt toward public officials while in the performance of their duty”.

Morocco/ Western Sahara: UPDATE - Human rights defender, Mr Ennaama Asfari facing trial on 27 August 2009posted on: 2009/08/26

Human rights defender, Mr Ennaama Asfari, has been informed by the Moroccan authorities that he will face trial on 27 August 2009 at the Tan-Tan court.

Morocco/Western Sahara: Amnesty international demands investigation of alleged torture of Sahrawi human rights defendersposted on: 2009/05/20

On the eve of the trial of Sahrawi human rights defender Yahya Mohamed El Hafed before the Court of Appeal of Agadir, Amnesty International is calling for a prompt and full investigation into torture allegations that marred his trial in first instance. In particular, Amnesty International urges that statements tainted by unexamined allegations of torture are disregarded.

Western Sahara: Torture and solitary confinement of human rights defender Mr Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aazaposted on: 2009/04/23

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the torture and solitary confinement of human rights defender, Mr Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza, who is currently being detained in Ayat-Melol prison. Yahya Mohamed el Hafed Aaza is a member of the Tan-Tan Branch of the Association Marocaine des Droits de l'Homme – AMDH (Moroccan Association of Human Rights), as well as a member of the constitutive assembly of the Collectif des Défenseurs Sahraouis des Droits de l'Homme - CODESA (Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights defenders).