Dakhla (Occupied Territories), 18 August 2025 (SPS) - The Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara (CODESA) has condemned the severe violations committed by the Moroccan occupation against Sahrawi human rights defenders. It called on international human rights bodies and organizations to follow up on this issue and intervene urgently to protect human rights defenders in the occupied part of the territory.
In a statement, the Dakhla branch of CODESA expressed its "deep concern" over the humiliating arrest and serious harassment of journalist and human rights defender Hassan Zerouali, a member of the organization's administrative committee and local branch official in occupied Dakhla. These actions, carried out by the Moroccan occupation forces, violate his dignity and fundamental rights.
The statement clarified that on Friday afternoon, while traveling from the cities of El Aaiun to Dakhla, Sahrawi activist Hassan Zerouali was stopped at a checkpoint north of occupied Boujdour. Moroccan occupation police officers seized his ID card and took him to the local police station.
The source added that the activist "was subjected to interrogation accompanied by extortion attempts, a flagrant violation of all international norms and conventions that guarantee freedom of movement and human dignity." It noted that the arbitrary detention lasted for more than an hour without any legal justification, in a move that "reflects the continued policy of intimidation practiced by the Moroccan occupation forces against Sahrawi human rights defenders."
This human rights activist has been subjected to severe violations by the Moroccan occupation forces on several occasions due to his media and human rights activities, which, according to the same source, indicates a systematic policy to suppress freedom of expression and target free voices in the occupied part of Western Sahara.
The Sahrawi organization "strongly" condemns the arbitrary detention and humiliating practices Hassan Zerouali was subjected to, holding the Moroccan occupation forces fully responsible for his safety.
In conclusion, CODESA called on international human rights bodies and organizations to follow up on this grave violation and to intervene urgently to protect Sahrawi human rights defenders. The organization reiterated its commitment to continuing the human rights struggle in defense of the dignity and the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence.
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