Paris, June 2, 2025 (SPS) – The Association of Friends of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (AARASD) denounced on Monday the expulsion by Moroccan authorities of at least 14 European activists and politicians who had traveled to Morocco as part of the Freedom March in solidarity with Sahrawi political prisoners.
"Morocco claims to defend human rights, yet it has once again expelled 14 people, including four elected officials from France and Spain," the Association said, reporting acts of violence by Moroccan police upon the arrival of the ferry carrying the activists from Spain to Tangier.
"What scandalous behavior! Claude Mangin-Asfari (a French activist whose husband is detained in Morocco), who led the delegation, has not seen her husband in over five years. Upon leaving the ferry, she told us how painful this new expulsion was for her, but also how proud and reassured she felt to be so strongly supported," the Association added.
"The Association of Friends of the SADR has supported this march for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners since its preparation and departure from Ivry on March 30, and was part of the delegation that has just been expelled. This march for the freedom of Sahrawi detainees will continue in other forms—it is a struggle for the necessary application of international law and the respect of human rights wherever they are violated," it pledged.
The Freedom March, which began two months ago, was supposed to conclude on May 31 at Kenitra Prison in Morocco, where Sahrawi political prisoners are arbitrarily detained. In total, the march covered 3,000 km (on foot, by bicycle, by car, and via public transport).
It made several stops in French and Spanish cities, where roundtables, conferences, meetings with elected officials, exhibitions, and other activities were held to raise awareness about the Sahrawi cause.
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