SADR/AI/HUMAN RIGHTS
Saharawi NGO calls on AI to prevent tragedy of Saharawi political prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails
Shahid Alhafed (Saharawi refugee camps) April 2, 2009 (SPS) The President of the Association of Detenained and disappeared Saharawis and their Families (AFAPREDESA) Abdeslam Omar Lahsen has called on Amnesty International (AI) to immediately intervene in order to prevent the unfolding human tragedy of Saharawi political prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails.
“We call upon you, since your organization has gained its reputation in the defense of human rights worldwide, to intervene immediately in order to prevent further deterioration of human rights that could result in a tragedy shaped by the stubbornness of the Moroccan authorities in their savage repression while ignoring basic rights of those political prisoners,” he said in a letter Thursday to Amnesty International Secretary General Mrs. Irene Khan. “We are making this call to your consciousness to do everything possible to bring the Moroccan authorities to interact positively with international law and international humanitarian law and do your utmost to save these human lives.” “Khalihenna Abu el Hassan, Salem Ablagh and Ibrahim Bryaz were arrested by Moroccan Security forces in April and December of the last year on their political opinions in favour of the right of the Saharawi, people for self-determination and independence,” he added in his letter. “On February 13, 2009, they have started a nonstop hunger strike calling for the recognition of their status as political prisoners which has been continuing now for seven weeks.” He also has drawn the Organization’s attention to other violations which are unprecedented by the Moroccan repressive authorities against innocent and peaceful citizens on hunger strike in the Moroccan Black Jail in El Aiun, capital of the territory for over 8 days, since Tuesday March 24, 2009. Their health is badly deteriorating, including that of Bechri Ben Taleb, Hamdati Ahmed Salem, and Gasmi Mohamed Lahbib.062/090/100 021735 APRIL 09 SPS
