WESTERN SAHARA / U.S.A / MOROCCO
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“Based on the observations of the RFK Center delegation, it is clear that there has not been accountability for accusations of human rights violations resulting from the dismantlement of the Gdaim Izik camp and subsequent protests,” according to a report published Tuesday concluded visit of the delegation of the center to occupied city of El Aaiun from January 11 to 14, 2011. “The RFK Center again calls for a thorough and impartial investigation to seek truth, justice, and accountability for the victims of acts of violence or excessive use of force committed by state actors,” “The RFK Center focused on investigating alleged human rights violations committed by state actors. Due to recent unrest, the majority of our meetings addressed the violence committed on and after November 8, 2010, when the Gdaim Izik camp was dismantled.” “ During the course of the visit, the RFK Center delegation met with victims of torture and abuse, families of victims, human rights defenders, lawyers, representatives of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), and government officials,” “Although the delegation did not conduct in-depth investigations into personal accounts, consistent facts and evidence strongly indicate human rights violations were committed by state entities in violation of national and international law,” “Our findings, consistent with those highlighted in the Amnesty International report released in December 2010, entitled “Rights Trampled,” demonstrate the urgent need for a continuing, neutral, international presence to monitor the human rights situation,” “Human rights violations, including torture, disappearances, violations of due process, freedom of assembly, and freedom of movement, have been noted in Western Sahara.” the report indicated. During the dismantling of Gdaim Izik camp by Moroccan security forces On November 8th, the delegation confirmed that “ Violence and looting spread to the city of El Aaiun after this, fueled by frustration and anger about the ill-treatment of people, especially women, during the dismantling of the camp,” The delegation of RFK stressed that the “MINURSO staff explained that according to the status of forces agreement with Morocco, they should have freedom of movement without restrictions,” but “the MINURSO staff was denied access to the Gdaim Izik camp three times before November 8th.,” “They were granted access three days after the dismantling, on November 11, 2010, to examine the conditions.” “They indicated they were anticipating a confrontation before November 8thbecause, among other factors, they were asked by the local government to move their vehicles inside the UN compound.” The report confirmed through meeting with numerous of Saharawis that many cases of torture, Ill Treatment, Arbitrary Arrest, Excessive Use of Force and sexual assaults have been registered. “Numerous individuals reported excessive use of force or torture by Moroccan security or police to the RFK Center delegation. This often occurred when individuals posed no apparent threat to the security, “ “The 31-year-old female arrested on December 28th also reported that the police sexually harassed her at the time of her arrest,” “Defense attorneys told the RFK Center delegation that male prisoners have been raped using bottles and batons. Human rights defenders from the Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH) El Aaiun Section, a legally registered organization, reported that there are regular instances of this form of ill treatment during the investigation period. In particular, they stated that three men came to AMDH indicating that they were raped with glass bottles at the brigade gendarmerie and prison.” The delegation of Robert Kennedy center for justice and Human rights recommended that “the situation in Western Sahara requires constant neutral, international monitoring with a mechanism to ensure accountability by state actors,” “It is evident that tensions remain high and human rights defenders are the target of government aggression. “(SPS) 080/090/171624FEB2011SPS |
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RFK Center calls for a thorough and impartial investigation on violent dismantling of Gdeim Izik camp
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