Les juridictions internationales doivent accentuer la pression sur le Makhzen pour libérer les détenus sahraouis
Ingrid Metton, a French lawyer specializing in international law, has once again condemned the arbitrary detention of Sahrawi activists from the Gdeim Izik group by the Moroccan government, known as the Makhzen. During an international march for the freedom of Sahrawi prisoners, which took place on Tuesday in Béziers, France, Metton urged international judicial authorities to increase pressure on Rabat to secure their immediate release.
Metton expressed strong opinions about the absence of evidence in the convictions of these detainees. « As a lawyer, I can assert that they were all sentenced without any proof, » she stated, emphasizing the crucial role of evidence in criminal law across jurisdictions, including France and Morocco. She pointed out that during the six-month trial of the Gdeim Izik detainees at the Rabat Court of Appeals, no credible evidence was presented. She noted, « From day one, I observed that there was no evidence. There were no weapons, nor a sufficient number of alleged victims, » asserting that any supposed confessions presented by the Moroccan defense were obtained through torture.
Metton recalled that the United Nations Committee Against Torture has acknowledged the use of torture against Sahrawi detainees in its reports. She claimed that the Moroccan government’s aim throughout the trial was to construct a narrative to legitimize the violent dismantling of the Gdeim Izik camp and to obscure the casualties on the Sahrawi side, searching for scapegoats in the process.
She highlighted a pivotal moment when the president of the Rabat Court expelled her from the courtroom because she attempted to present counter-expertise that would demonstrate the torture endured by the Sahrawi activists. « I was expelled the day I sought to submit testimonies showing that the Sahrawi militants had been tortured. This truth was too unbearable for the Moroccan judiciary, prompting the president to suspend the session and remove me, » she recalled.
Metton condemned the judiciary’s actions as violations of international law and called upon competent international jurisdictions to exert pressure on Morocco to reverse these judicial decisions. She also addressed the legal status of Western Sahara, asserting that under international law, it is recognized as an occupied territory where international humanitarian laws must apply. « Morocco has no authority over this territory. The United Nations is currently aware of this through its Fourth Committee, responsible for special political issues and decolonization, » she stated, urging the UN to increase pressure on Morocco to adhere to international legality.
Furthermore, Metton noted that the international march for the freedom of Sahrawi prisoners, initiated by human rights activist Claude Mangin and a group of supporters of the Sahrawi cause, aims to advance the fight for Sahrawi independence and the recovery of their legitimate rights.
This ongoing advocacy highlights the urgent need for international attention and intervention regarding human rights violations in Western Sahara and underscores the long-standing conflict over the region. Metton’s legal perspective and personal experiences lend weight to the arguments for legal justice and the restoration of rights for the Sahrawi people, as she continues to fight for their freedom against what she describes as a deeply flawed judicial process.
In conclusion, the dire situation of Sahrawi prisoners remains a point of contention and concern for international human rights advocates. Metton’s call for legal scrutiny and the need for international accountability emphasizes the importance of addressing the human rights of individuals detained in politically charged contexts and ensuring that justice is served for the oppressed. The plea for action aims not only to free the current detainees but also to shed light on the broader context of the Sahrawi struggle for independence, which continues to seek acknowledgment and remedy through both legal and humanitarian avenues.
