On the evening of Sunday, March 4, 2023, the Moroccan occupation authorities in occupied Laayoune took further action against peaceful demonstrators. They cordoned off the house of political detainee Mohamed Bourial from all entrances, using the cars of the occupation forces to block access to the home. This prevented many human rights defenders from reaching the house to participate in The International Women’s Day celebration. Despite this obstruction, some activists managed to reach the house, only to be met with violence and intimidation.
The occupation authorities assaulted the activists by beating, cursing, and using all kinds of intimidation. In an attempt to raid the house, they broke the door and forced the family to take out all the participants in the celebration. Each of the activists was assaulted, including human rights activist and former political prisoner Dagja Lashkar, who was hit in the head and had her eye glasses smashed. Mahfouda Lafkir, head of the Committee for the Expelled Sahrawis from work, suffered bruises in different parts of her body.
As an organization dedicated to protecting the human rights of Sahrawi defenders, Freedomsun Defenders strongly condemns the behavior of the Moroccan occupation forces in their treatment of civilians. Their actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the rules of international humanitarian law and the principles of international human rights law.
It is unacceptable that innocent civilians are subjected to harm and intimidation by those who claim to be upholding the law. The Moroccan authorities must be held accountable for their actions and the international community must take action to protect the rights and freedoms of those who have been affected by these injustices.
Freedomsun Defenders stands in solidarity with those who have been harmed by the actions of the Moroccan occupation forces and will continue to advocate for their rights. It is only through a united effort that we can bring an end to these atrocities and create a world where human rights are respected and protected.
Freedomsun Defenders expresses its concern about the continued silence of the international community regarding the ongoing violations of the rights of the Sahrawi population in the occupied territories of Western Sahara. The international community has a legal obligation to uphold the Fourth Geneva Convention and to hold those who violate its principles accountable.
The lack of action from the international community has emboldened the Moroccan occupation forces to continue their acts of repression without fear of prosecution. This is a clear violation of international human rights law and the principles of justice and accountability.
We call on the international community to take action and hold the Moroccan authorities accountable for their actions. The rights and freedoms of the Sahrawi people must be respected, and we stand in solidarity with those who continue to suffer under the oppressive regime.
Executive Office of FreedomSun Defenders Organization for the Protection of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders.
March 5, 2023