On October 9, 2024, human rights defenders Ahmed Ettanji and Mohamed Mayara were expelled by Moroccan authorities from Cape Bojador during a family visit. This incident reflects a grim pattern of harassment and intimidation faced by activists advocating for Sahrawi rights in occupied Western Sahara. The incident underscores the systemic repression experienced by those documenting human rights violations in the region and calls for immediate protective actions.
On October 9, 2024, Moroccan authorities forcibly expelled renowned human rights defenders Ahmed Ettanji and Mohamed Mayara from Cape Bojador. During what was supposed to be a family visit, they were surrounded by police and threatened with arrest. As journalists committed to advocating for Sahrawi rights, their effort to document human rights violations in occupied Western Sahara was met with intimidation and harassment, ultimately compelling them to abandon their visit and return to Laayoune. Ahmed Ettanji and Mohamed Mayara, who have been active in raising awareness about serious human rights violations against the Sahrawi people, were subjected to serious intimidation. Upon arriving at the family’s home, they faced a mobile encirclement of local authorities, led by the Police Commissioner of Cape Bojador. The intimidation extended to their host family, who were threatened with a home search, showcasing a chilling dynamic where support for human rights defenders can perilously endanger families and communities. This unsettling episode reflects a broader trend of oppressive measures against human rights advocates in occupied Western Sahara. Moroccan authorities have routinely imposed restrictions on their freedom of movement and assembly, often resorting to harassment and intimidation. Such actions, particularly against individuals like Ettanji and Mayara who courageously document abuses, undoubtedly reveal a systematic attempt to silence dissent and inhibit critical voices advocating for justice. Front Line Defenders has underscored the direct connection between the targeting of these human rights defenders and their unyielding commitment to shedding light on moral injustices. They are imploring Moroccan authorities to uphold international human rights standards, ensuring all individuals in Western Sahara can pursue their advocacy work free from fear and oppression.
The plight of human rights defenders in Western Sahara is overshadowed by the presence of Moroccan authorities, who systematically hinder freedoms of expression and movement. The Sahrawi people have long faced human rights abuses, and activists like Mohamed Mayara, who co-founded organizations aimed at documenting these violations, are critical in the struggle for their rights. The recent events surrounding Ettanji and Mayara exemplify the dangerous conditions under which these defenders operate, highlighting the urgent need for protection and advocacy worldwide.
The recent expulsion of Ahmed Ettanji and Mohamed Mayara from Cape Bojador underscores Moroccan authorities’ ongoing suppression of human rights defenders in Western Sahara. This incident not only exemplifies the intimidation faced by those advocating for Sahrawi rights but also highlights the wider challenges of repression faced by activists in the region. Calls for protective measures and assurances for human rights defenders resonate louder in light of such oppressive actions, marking the need for international accountability and support for those pursuing justice in occupied territories.
Original Source: www.frontlinedefenders.org
