Occupied El Aaiún, 1 March 2025 (SPS) - The Moroccan occupation authorities suppressed Sahrawi activists and human rights defenders during events commemorating the 49th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). This marks yet another "retaliatory" step taken by the Moroccan occupier to deter the struggling Sahrawi people from continuing their fight for freedom and independence.
Sahrawi media sources reported that the home of Ali Salem Tamek, the head of the Sahrawi Association of Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara (CODESA), in the occupied city of El Aaiún, "was stoned and subjected to an attempted break-in by Moroccan security forces on February 27th. The forces cut off electricity to the house and surrounded it from all directions."
According to the same sources, this attack occurred in the context of "targeting Sahrawi human rights defenders who had called for a protest two days prior, which was met with repression by the Moroccan occupation forces."
In this regard, journalist and human rights activist Salha Boutenguiza stated that "the occupation forces stoned the house to intimidate the participants in the gathering before attempting to storm it, but they failed due to the resistance and steadfastness of those inside."
Meanwhile, Sahrawi journalist Bahi Breika was brutally assaulted on Friday evening by Moroccan security agents, who abducted him and subjected him to severe torture, according to the Sahrawi television team in occupied El Aaiún, to which he belongs.
Breika affirmed that "these heinous crimes committed by the Moroccan occupation authorities against him will not deter him from continuing his legitimate struggle. On the contrary, they will strengthen his resolve and determination to fiercely defend the Sahrawi people's right to freedom and independence." He called on international organizations, human rights advocates, and all Sahrawis to stand by him and show solidarity in his ordeal.
In the context of the 49th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi State, political prisoners from the "Gdeim Izik" group, held in Moroccan occupation prisons, affirmed in a statement conveyed by Sahrawi media their determination and commitment to "continue the struggle, no matter the sacrifices." They expressed their hope for "a better tomorrow, where the national flag will fly high over the entire territory of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, free and independent."
The statement called on "everyone to unite and rally around the sole legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, the Polisario Front, especially during these difficult times for the Sahrawi cause, which is witnessing serious escalation and vile conspiracies against the Sahrawi people's right to exist and self-determination."
Related blogs
