HRW calls on Moroccan regime to respect human rights in occupied Western Sahara

New York – MAP -The international organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the Moroccan authorities to respect human rights, including freedom of assembly and protest in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.

In it 22nd annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide in 2011, HRW stated that the Moroccan authorities "continue to suppress peaceful demonstrations by Sahrawi citizens in the occupied territories of Western Sahara demanding the organization of a referendum of self-determination", calling on Morocco to halt depriving citizens from their right to protest, a right guaranteed by all international conventions, the report added.

It also expressed concern over the situation of 23 prisoners of Gdeim Izik subjecting to Military trial as well as the situation of more than 120 Sahrawi human right arrested for their political views in favor of the independence of Western Sahara.

HRW calls for punishing those responsible for using excessive force against Sahrawi protesters

The international organization underlined that The Moroccan regime "continues to prevent the creation of associations and human rights organization in Western Sahara".