Madrid (Spain), July 13, 2025 (SPS) – Raúl Conde, a member of the NGO Cantabria for Western Sahara, stated that Morocco’s prevention of foreign journalists and human rights observers from entering the occupied part of Western Sahara is a clear indicator of its disregard for human rights in the region.
Last Tuesday, Moroccan occupation authorities barred Raúl Conde and two journalists from entering the occupied city of El Aaiún as part of a mission to document the situation on the ground. This brings the total number of international observers denied entry to the territory since 2014 to 330.
In a statement, the Spanish activist explained that blocking foreign observers from entering the occupied territory exposes Morocco’s lies about the existence of freedom in the occupied Western Sahara.
"This imposed blockade is meant to cover up the widespread repression faced by Sahrawis in their own land," he said, adding, "Since November 1975, with the invasion of Western Sahara, the Sahrawi people have endured repression and misery."
Conde emphasized that the purpose of his recent attempt—along with his colleagues—to visit the occupied Sahrawi territories was to document human rights violations in Western Sahara and engage with various organizations defending the rights of the Sahrawi people.
He stressed that Morocco’s refusal to allow them into occupied El Aaiun "is a clear sign of disrespect for human rights, freedom of movement, and basic liberties."
Conde further said that the international community "is complicit in the violation of international law due to economic interests benefiting a select few. We have witnessed this throughout 50 years of Moroccan occupation." He called on civil society worldwide to mobilize and put an end to these violations before it is too late.
In conclusion, he insisted that "a definitive solution to the Western Sahara issue must be imposed now, in line with the various UN resolutions over these 50 years of occupation, and based on rulings from international courts—including the European Court of Justice—which leave no room for speculation: the only solution is a referendum for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people."
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