Occupied El Aaiún – A new report has documented over 38,000 alleged crimes and human rights violations perpetrated against Sahrawi people, according to the Sahrawi Collective of Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara (CODESA). The report, released today, details a wide range of abuses allegedly committed over the past 50 years.
The extensive document accuses Moroccan authorities of systematic violations targeting Sahrawi civilians. These alleged violations include arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression, and discrimination in access to economic and social rights. The report also highlights alleged instances of violence against peaceful protesters and the suppression of Sahrawi cultural identity.
“This report serves as a crucial record of the suffering endured by the Sahrawi people under occupation,” stated a representative from CODESA. “We hope it will raise awareness within the international community and prompt concrete action to protect the human rights of Sahrawis and to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara.”
The report includes testimonies from victims and their families, as well as photographic and video evidence, according to CODESA. It also analyzes relevant legal frameworks and international human rights standards. The organization claims the documented cases represent only a fraction of the actual abuses, due to the difficulties in accessing information and the fear of reprisal among victims.
The claims made in the report have not been independently verified. Moroccan authorities have previously denied allegations of systematic human rights abuses in Western Sahara, asserting that they are committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all residents in the region.
The release of this report comes at a sensitive time, as international efforts to resolve the long-standing dispute over Western Sahara continue. The region has been a contested territory since the withdrawal of Spanish forces in 1975. The conflict remains a significant obstacle to regional stability and development.
