Date: Wednesday, December 25, 2024, 17:16
Category: International
Rabat – Moroccan authorities have detained human rights activist and political dissident Jawad El Hamidi in Agadir, southern Morocco, over his outspoken opposition to Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara and his advocacy for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
El Hamidi has consistently shared posts on social media exposing the Moroccan regime’s colonial policies and asserting the legal status of Western Sahara as a decolonization issue. His arrest comes amid growing support from Moroccan activists for the Sahrawi cause.
El Hamidi’s Views and Advocacy
In recent social media posts, El Hamidi emphasized that the United Nations holds exclusive authority in resolving the Western Sahara conflict. He reiterated that Western Sahara and Morocco are separate and distinct territories.
El Hamidi also criticized Morocco’s claims of international recognition of its “sovereignty” over Western Sahara, calling such claims baseless and unsupported by international institutions such as the Fourth Committee for Decolonization or the UN Security Council.
Reactions from Activists and Rights Groups
Prominent Moroccan dissidents have condemned El Hamidi’s arrest. Activist Mohamed Qandil expressed unconditional solidarity with El Hamidi, holding Moroccan security forces accountable for his well-being. Qandil also urged human rights organizations in Morocco to support El Hamidi, whose writings and activism have long championed freedom and justice.
Similarly, human rights advocate Nour Eddine Al-Ouaj denounced the Moroccan regime’s arbitrary detentions of outspoken critics, labeling the government’s actions as oppressive and a violation of fundamental freedoms.
Voices of Concern
Saida Alami, a Moroccan blogger and rights advocate, criticized the government’s priorities in a social media post, lamenting that instead of addressing urgent governance and public welfare issues highlighted in recent reports, authorities have launched a series of arbitrary arrests targeting political dissidents.
Alami, herself a former political detainee, noted that El Hamidi had been under surveillance for his bold discussions on sensitive topics, including the Sahrawi cause and Morocco’s regional and international isolation. She accused Moroccan intelligence services of deploying online harassment campaigns against El Hamidi, further illustrating the regime’s intolerance of dissent.
Broader Context of Repression
El Hamidi’s arrest coincides with a smear campaign targeting Aziz Ghali, the president of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights. Ghali has faced backlash for his public support of the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, as enshrined in international law.
During a recent appearance on an online news program, Ghali rejected Morocco’s proposed “autonomy plan” for Western Sahara and condemned the regime’s attempts to assert illegitimate sovereignty over the occupied territory.
A Dangerous Precedent
El Hamidi’s arrest underscores the Moroccan government’s escalating crackdown on dissenting voices advocating for justice and self-determination. As activists and rights groups continue to call for international attention to these abuses, the struggle for justice in Western Sahara remains a central issue in the region.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
