Posted on 2011/10/13
On 10 October 2011, Western Saharan human rights defenders Messrs Kamal Al Tarayh, Abd Al Aziz Barrai, Al Mahjoub Awlad Al Cheikh and Mohamed Manolo were interrogated by the investigating magistrate in the city of El Aaiún in connection with violent disturbances which took place in in the town of Dakhla during the last week of September.
Further Information
They were charged with, among other things, forming a criminal organization, complicity in killings, and setting fire to cars in reference to the recent events.
All the human rights defenders vehemently denied the charges brought against them and stressed that they are being continually targeted solely for campaigning for the rights of the Western Saharan people, including their right to self-determination. They also spoke of the record of past violations which they have been subjected to by the Moroccan authorities as a result of their human rights work.
The interrogation took place in the presence of the human rights defenders’ lawyer. The four human rights defenders have now been moved to Al-Kuhl prison in El Aaiún where they were allowed access to their families. Their lawyer has called for their temporary release and his plea is being considered.
FrontLine, 13 oct 2011