Western Sahara

Front Line would like to welcome the release of human rights defender Brahim Sabbar on 17 June 2008 after serving a two-year sentence in the Civil Prison of El-Ayoune, also known as the “Black Prison”. However, Front Line is concerned that his freedom of movement is still highly restricted. Front Line is also deeply concerned following reports that human rights defenders, including members of the Association Sahraouie des Victimes des Violations Graves des Droits de l’Homme Commises par l’Etat du Maroc (Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations Committed by the Moroccan State) (ASVDH) have been refused access by police officers to visit him and some have been subject to attacks.  

Front Line is concerned about the travel restrictions imposed on the human rights defender, El Ghalia Djimi by the Moroccan authorities. On 12 October 2007, the Moroccan authorities prevented her from leaving Morocco in order to attend meetings with various international organisations, including a forthcoming Front Line conference in Dublin from 22 – 24 November 2007. El Ghalia Djimi is the Vice President of l’Association Sahraouie des Victims des Violations Graves des Droits Humains Commises par l’Etat Marocain – ASVDH (Saharan Association of Victims of Serious Violations of Human Rights Committed by the Moroccan State)