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Saharawi woman human rights defender Fatima Moulay delivered a joint statement on behalf of ISHR, Front Line Defenders, and the Working group on human rights in occupied Western Sahara during the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, General Debate Item 4.
The human rights situation in occupied Western Sahara continues to require the Council’s attention.
Individuals peacefully advocating for the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination continue to face harassment, intimidation, contributing to a restrictive civic space and limiting their ability to participate in public life and express their views freely.
Morocco continues to impose restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Human rights defenders and journalists reportedly face surveillance, intimidation and reprisals for their legitimate activities, including engagement with UN human rights mechanisms, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, coerced confessions, violations of due process and fair trial.
Saharawi people also reportedly face discrimination in access to housing, education, health services, and participation in cultural life. The exploitation of natural resources in the occupied territory without the free, prior, and informed consent of the Saharawi people continues.
In light of the absence of regular independent human rights monitoring, we urge the Council to ensure unhindered access to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Procedures to Western Sahara, as to enable independent assessment and reporting while ensuring that human rights defenders are protected from intimidation and reprisals.
The Council should also urge Morocco to release those arbitrarily detained, safeguard fundamental freedoms, and uphold the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination.
Watch the full statement below:
At a Human Rights Council debate with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, ISHR delivered a joint statement with Sudanese Women’s Rights Action and the Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa.
At the last session of its current membership, the NGO Committee’s rate of approval for organisations awaiting consultative status dropped to a record low of 5% amidst continued politicisation of NGO engagement at the UN.
Organisations express concern over the censorship of civil society through the cancellation of a side event co-sponsored by ISHR, Front Line Defenders, Hegoa and the Working Group on Human Rights in Occupied Western Sahara, titled 'Ending the Silence on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara'.
