Empêchés de fouler le sol marocain, les participants à la « Marche de la Liberté » dénoncent le harcèlement du Makhzen
Summary of the "March for Freedom" in Madrid
Overview:
Participants in the "March for Freedom," who were prevented from disembarking from a ferry headed for Tangier, expressed outrage over the harassment from Moroccan authorities. They reported extensive "surveillance" and "intimidation" while aboard a Spanish vessel.
Experiences on the Ferry:
Human rights activist Claude Mangin, leading the delegation, detailed how Moroccan agents photographed them upon boarding, enforced strict checks on their travel documents, and subjected them to intimidation tactics. The delegation was not allowed to move freely on the ferry, and a photographer even had her phone forcibly taken. Mangin criticized the Moroccan government for failing to seize an opportunity to improve its international image, asserting that it continues to operate as a dictatorial regime.
Context of the March:
Initiated on March 30, the "March for Freedom" traveled through France and Spain with the goal of reaching Kenitra, Morocco. The march was intended to advocate for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners detained by Moroccan authorities. Over the past two months, participants have called for Morocco to adhere to UN resolutions regarding the release of arbitrarily detained Sahrawis and to allow Mangin to visit her husband, Naâma Asfari, a Sahrawi political prisoner sentenced to 30 years in 2013.
Surprise at Police Presence:
Despite being aware that crossing into Morocco would be challenging, few anticipated the level of harassment prior to reaching Moroccan territory. Alain Buch, a local official from Ivry-sur-Seine and a participant, expressed shock at the overwhelming police presence, describing it as excessive and indicative of the authorities’ desire to suppress dissent.
Leila Bounebache, a member of the Friends of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Association, voiced her astonishment at the number of undercover Moroccan police on the Spanish boat. While still in Spanish waters, they were filmed by these officers, leading her to question the legitimacy of such actions.
Condemnation of Actions:
Abdulah Arabi, the representative of the Polisario Front in Spain, condemned the prohibition on the march’s members from entering Morocco and decried the violence used against them. The Sahrawi Commission for Human Rights also denounced the Makhzen’s decision to block the march, citing the aggression exhibited during the expulsion of participants. The commission called for international accountability to uphold human rights in the occupied Sahrawi territories.
Conclusion:
The "March for Freedom" has highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding human rights in Moroccan-occupied territories. While the march aimed to promote solidarity and advocate for political prisoners, the response from Moroccan authorities reflects broader issues of repression and civil liberties in the region.
