Un organe onusien appelle le Maroc à la libération « immédiate » d’un étudiant sahraoui détenu arbitrairement
Summary of the Situation Surrounding Al-Houcine Al-Bachir Ibrahim
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued a pressing call for the "immediate" and "unconditional" release of Sahrawi student and human rights activist Al-Houcine Al-Bachir Ibrahim. The group has determined that Ibrahim is being held in "arbitrary detention" within a Moroccan prison, raising serious concerns about the conditions of his imprisonment and the legality of his detention.
Al-Houcine was arrested in January 2019 following his forced expulsion from Spain, where he sought asylum. Upon his return to Morocco, he was placed in detention, allegedly subjected to mistreatment, denied access to legal representation, and ultimately sentenced to twelve years in prison. His trial proceedings were marred by significant violations, including the use of dubious confessions and a stark disregard for the principles of fair trial rights.
In its assessment, the UN Working Group highlighted severe violations regarding legal standards and procedural norms. It pointed out that Al-Houcine’s initial arrest was arbitrary and underscored the misuse of evidence obtained under duress, along with breaches of the absolute prohibition against torture. This situation has prompted several organizations, including the Norwegian Committee for the Support of Western Sahara and the Committee of Families of Detained Sahrawi Students, to express their outrage and support for Ibrahim, stressing that the UN’s ruling reflects an escalating international concern over the systematic targeting of Sahrawi human rights defenders by the Moroccan authorities.
The entities involved have interpreted the UN’s statement as a reinforcement of the condemnation against Morocco for its repeated violations of international human rights law, as consistently reported by various UN procedures. Tone Sorfonn Moe, Al-Houcine’s attorney, emphasized that this decision sheds light on the systematic reprisals faced by Sahrawi youth and human rights advocates, adamantly calling for urgent protective measures for the next generation of defenders in Western Sahara.
Al-Houcine’s family has publicly condemned the inhumane conditions he is enduring, detailing his isolation in a Moroccan prison, far removed from any familial support. They have echoed the call made by the UN group, imploring Moroccan authorities to facilitate Al-Houcine’s immediate release. Furthermore, they have urged Spain to acknowledge its responsibility in the chain of events leading to his unlawful detention and to engage diplomatically to aid in his release.
In conclusion, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has joined the calls of Al-Houcine’s family, urging immediate action from Morocco to free him from incarceration. The international community is encouraged to pay attention to these developments as they reflect broader issues of human rights violations in Western Sahara.
