Moroccan authorities continue their policy of media blackout and blocking access to occupied cities, as they seek to cover up their ongoing crimes against the Sahrawi people. On February 16, 2023, Nuria Bota, an observer, was prevented from entering the occupied city of El-Ayoun by Moroccan police in GarGarat. Bota was subsequently forced to leave for Agadir and faced the prospect of being deported to Spain.
Furthermore, the Moroccan occupation forces have not only continued to restrict the movement of Sahrawi human rights activists but have also imposed severe limitations on human rights organizations, international media, and observers. Since 2014, the Moroccan authorities have prohibited them from entering the occupied cities of Western Sahara.
The number of international observers expelled has now surpassed 276 foreigners.
This policy of censorship and suppression of information prevents the world from seeing the true extent of human rights abuses committed against the Sahrawi people.
In light of this, Freedomsun Defenders Organization calls upon the international community and human rights organizations to put pressure on Morocco and its forces to end the restrictions on the entry of international persons and organizations into the occupied Saharawi territories. It also urges all forces of freedom, justice, and human rights defenders around the world to show solidarity and take concrete measures to monitor ongoing violations and crimes of the occupation and provide support to the Sahrawi people in their continuous struggle for their rights.
The organization reiterates its stance that human rights should not be compromised in the pursuit of a political resolution. It asserts that any future political agreement that disregards international humanitarian law and human rights principles will not succeed in providing a fair resolution to the Western Sahara conflict. Instead, it will result in further hardships and instability for the people of the region. Hence, any peaceful settlement must uphold the standards of legitimacy and international human rights law.