une ONG déplore de nombreuses violations des droits de l’homme par le Maroc
Summary of Human Rights Violations in Western Sahara and Morocco (2024)
In 2024, international human rights organization Amnesty International reported ongoing repression by Moroccan authorities in Western Sahara, a territory occupied by Morocco. Numerous violations against activists and residents were documented, highlighting significant restrictions on freedoms of association and peaceful assembly.
Violations in Western Sahara
The report details multiple instances of violence and suppression targeting Sahrawi activists. In January, peaceful demonstrations by women in Laâyoune were violently dispersed by police, with some protestors allegedly beaten. February saw the interruption of a press conference organized by the Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders Collective (CODESA) on fundamental rights in Laâyoune, further underscoring the oppressive atmosphere.
Amnesty International documented the demolition of homes belonging to 12 Sahrawi families in Al Jitir. This act, carried out by the Moroccan military and gendarmerie with bulldozers, was deemed a "forced eviction," lacking sufficient notice or relocation alternatives for the affected families.
In August, the organization reported arbitrary searches of 13 activists at airports in Laâyoune and Dakhla, where their documents and personal belongings were confiscated. These individuals had just returned from a human rights conference in Turkey, highlighting the preemptive measures taken against activists.
Broader Suppression in Morocco
The repression extended beyond Western Sahara, affecting Moroccan activists as well. The report highlighted the continuous crackdown on dissent, targeting journalists and critics of the regime, often leading to legal repercussions and surveillance. Many have faced imprisonment for alleged "false news" or critiquing the monarchy.
One case cited was that of journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui, sentenced to 18 months in prison following accusations of spreading false allegations and defamation against a government minister. Additionally, the UN Human Rights Committee had urged Moroccan authorities in early 2024 to take protective measures for Mohamed Ziane, a human rights lawyer sentenced in 2022 for activities related to fundamental rights. However, the Moroccan government reportedly ignored these recommendations.
Amnesty International also criticized the lack of effective investigation into the deadly repression of migrants in June 2022, which resulted in at least 37 deaths and 77 disappearances during an attempt to cross into Spain from Morocco. It was reported that Moroccan authorities secretly buried 13 of these deceased individuals between June 6 and 12, 2024.
Furthermore, based on a May report from Lighthouse Reports and a consortium of media outlets, Amnesty alleged that Moroccan authorities engaged in racially targeted arrests of sub-Saharan migrants and refugees in urban areas, exacerbating the climate of discrimination and fear.
Conclusion
The findings from Amnesty International depict a harsh reality in both Western Sahara and Morocco in 2024, characterized by systemic human rights violations, enforced by both legal and extrajudicial means. The situation reflects the urgent need for international scrutiny and intervention to ensure the protection of fundamental rights and to address the repercussions of state repression.
