Geneva (UN Human Rights Council), September 8, 2026 (SPS) – South African environmental and human rights activist Catherine Constantinides expressed deep concern on Tuesday over the deteriorating human rights situation in occupied Western Sahara, stressing that the continued absence of independent monitoring and the refusal to allow UN mechanisms access to the territory contribute to perpetuating a troubling situation of impunity and information suppression.
This came in an oral intervention before the plenary session of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, commenting on the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Constantinides referred to the surveillance, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and repression of fundamental freedoms faced by Sahrawi civilians, including human rights defenders and journalists, at the hands of the Moroccan occupation authorities.
She noted that the UN Secretary-General had affirmed, in his report on the situation concerning Western Sahara, that the absence of “independent, impartial, comprehensive and sustained human rights monitoring” continues to undermine the possibility of accurately assessing developments on the ground.
She also pointed out that the report indicated that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had been unable to access Western Sahara, despite repeated requests, considering that this perpetuates a significant gap in monitoring and protection.
The South African activist affirmed that the latest findings of UN human rights mechanisms once again highlight the importance of accountability and the protection of fundamental rights. She noted that a number of these cases had established violations of the Convention against Torture, including failures to investigate allegations of torture and the use in criminal proceedings of statements found to have been extracted under torture.
She warned that the continued absence of independent monitoring and the refusal to allow UN mechanisms, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the special procedures, access to the territory contribute to a troubling culture of impunity and information suppression.
In the same context, Constantinides expressed concern over what she described as the unlawful exploitation of Western Sahara’s natural resources in violation of international law, as well as the continued forced displacement and eviction of Sahrawis from their homes in favor of the occupying power.
The South African activist called on the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to renew its efforts to gain access to the territory, stressing that enabling the Office and UN mechanisms to carry out their duties is essential to strengthening human rights protection and ensuring accountability.
She also called on Member States to support the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism to ensure accountability and transparency regarding the human rights situation in Western Sahara.
At the conclusion of her intervention, Constantinides reiterated that the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination is not an option, but a legal and moral necessity, calling on the Human Rights Council to act to safeguard this right and ensure its respect.
