Geneva (Switzerland), 10 December 2025 (SPS) – On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Working Group on Human Rights in Western Sahara has called for urgent international intervention to protect Sahrawi civilians in the occupied territories, warning of “the serious and persistent deterioration of fundamental rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, where the Sahrawi people continue to face a climate of repression, impunity and systematic violence.”
In its statement, the Working Group stressed that this day, marking the 77th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reminds the world that dignity, justice and freedom must be universal. However, “for thousands of Sahrawis under Moroccan occupation, these principles continue to be denied on a daily basis five years after US President Donald Trump illegally recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, emboldening Morocco to heighten its repression and contributing to a climate of impunity in the territory.”
The Working Group reported a pattern of systematic repression against human rights defenders in the occupied territory, who face “daily harassment, constant surveillance and restrictions on their mobility.” Sahrawi activists engaged in peaceful documentation and advocacy “suffer physical and verbal attacks,” while Sahrawi organizations face “the confiscation of materials, the impossibility of holding meetings and the forced closure of spaces.”
According to the statement, arbitrary detentions and trials without guarantees are widespread. Many people are arrested without a warrant for participating in peaceful demonstrations or expressing critical opinions. Judicial proceedings “lack transparency, are based on forced confessions, and often take place without the accused having adequate defence,” resulting in “disproportionate sentences that seek to discourage Sahrawi social and political activism.”
The statement further denounced “excessive use of force against demonstrators and the civilian population, accompanied by night-time raids, destruction of property and threats against Sahrawi families,” along with cases of torture and ill-treatment documented in detention centers. Among other grave violations, the Working Group highlighted “economic strangulation imposed on human rights defenders, land grabbing for colonial purposes…as well as gender-based violence weaponised against women human rights defenders.”
The report also noted “severe restrictions on freedom of expression, association and the press,” where independent journalists face persecution, and activities linked to Sahrawi identity are frequently banned. Access to the territory remains blocked for “international observers, non-governmental organisations, journalists and parliamentary delegations,” preventing independent monitoring and reinforcing impunity.
Regarding international protection, the Working Group recalled that “for nine consecutive years, Morocco has continued to block the entry of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights into the occupied Sahrawi territories.” Yet, it emphasized a significant development this year: eight United Nations Special Rapporteurs issued a historic communication publicly denouncing Morocco's “ongoing campaign of repression, racial discrimination and violence against Sahrawi human rights defenders, journalists and activists.” The communication highlighted 79 Sahrawi victims, describing “the widespread pattern of violence and systematic attacks that demonstrate racial discrimination against Sahrawis.”
In its concluding appeal, the Working Group urged the international community, UN member states, the African Union and regional bodies to act immediately to end repression against Sahrawi civilians, release arbitrarily detained individuals, guarantee unrestricted access for international observers, establish an independent UN human rights monitoring mechanism, and protect Sahrawi defenders from reprisals while advancing a “fair and transparent political process, in accordance with international resolutions and the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people.”
Finally, the statement reaffirmed: “the struggle of the Sahrawi people for justice, freedom and dignity is a struggle for human rights, which deserves urgent attention and international solidarity.” (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
Related blogs
