Torture and discrimination in Western Sahara
Published: 1/Oct/2009
Source: Equal Rights Trust (London)
The conflict in Western Sahara is one of the longest running and most forgotten in the world. Known as Africa’s last colony, Western Sahara was sold to Morocco and Mauritania by the Spanish when they withdrew in 1976. The Mauritanians pulled out soon after and the Moroccans annexed much of the remaining territory in defiance of a ruling from the International Court of Justice. A sixteen-year war ensued between the Moroccans and the Sahrawi independence movement, the POLISARIO Front. Under the terms of a 1991 UN ceasefire agreement, a referendum for self-determination was promised, but has yet to be carried out.
Stefan Simanowitz, co-chair of the Free Western Sahara Network, sent to The Equal Rights Trust abundant testimony and background information documenting the torture and discrimination of Sahrawi activists during the period August-October 2009, some of which is publicised below.
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