🔴 STATEMENT The Executive Bureau of the Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara (#CODESA) is following with grave concern the repressive intervention carried out by the police of the Moroccan occupying power, with the participation of the so-called “Auxiliary Forces” of the Makhzen, against the families of Sahrawi political prisoners belonging to the Gdeim Izik group, as well as Sahrawi human rights defenders, Sahrawi students and former political prisoners, during a peaceful gathering held outside the Delegation of Prison Administration and Reintegration in Rabat, Morocco. The gathering was held in solidarity with the prisoners, several of whom have been on an open-ended hunger strike since 23 September 2026 in various Moroccan prisons. According to preliminary information available to the Collective, participants were subjected to violence and physical assaults, and the police of the Moroccan occupying power arrested several of them. Those arrested include: Sahrawi human rights defenders and former political prisoners: 1️⃣ Aziz Elouahidi. 2️⃣ Hassana Douihi. 3️⃣ Khaled Boufrayoua. Sahrawi students: 1️⃣ El Hussein Chihab. 2️⃣ Mohamed Lemrabet. 3️⃣ Ibrahim Babit. 4️⃣ Salah Eddine Essabar. The Collective considers that these practices raise serious concerns regarding respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of Sahrawi civilians in Western Sahara, a territory that remains to be decolonised. It emphasises that the continued Moroccan occupation requires compliance with the relevant rules of international humanitarian law concerning the protection of civilians in occupied territories, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as the obligations arising under international human rights law. These include the protection of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and the prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and arbitrary detention. The Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara (CODESA) also holds the Moroccan occupying power responsible for ensuring the safety of Sahrawi political prisoners on hunger strike, respecting their dignity and fundamental rights, providing them with the necessary medical care, and addressing their legitimate demands. Accordingly, the Executive Bureau of the Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara (CODESA) calls for: ✓ The release of those detained in connection with the solidarity gathering, the safeguarding of their physical integrity, and the guarantee of their right to communicate with their families and lawyers. ✓ An end to violence and restrictions targeting Sahrawi human rights defenders, students and the families of Sahrawi political prisoners. ✓ The opening of an independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the repressive intervention and the arrests, and the holding of those responsible to account for any violations established. ✓ The United Nations and relevant international human rights mechanisms to monitor the situation of Sahrawi political prisoners and their conditions of detention, each within the scope of its respective mandate. The Executive Bureau reiterates its solidarity with the families of Sahrawi political prisoners and those detained. It reaffirms its commitment to continuing to document violations and defend the rights of the Sahrawi people, including their right to self-determination, in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. The Executive Bureau Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders in #WesternSahara (CODESA) 12 October 2026 @amnesty @hrw @FrontLineHRD @UNHumanRights @EldhLaw @rightlivelihood @SidiOmarNY @OBS_defenders @AP @antonioguterres @ICRC