Saharawi Youth Released

From: arso - E.Martinoli, INTERNET:arso@hei.unige.ch, Date: 20th August, 1996

Liberation of prisoners

The eight young Sahrawis, condemned in June 1995 to sentences of 15 to 20 years of jail, and who should have been liberated in May 1996, finally left the prison of Sale. All of them returned to their homes in the occupied Western Sahara, according to AFAPREDESA (Association of Families of Prisoners and Disappeared Sahrawis).

Background Story

AFAPREDESA, Association of Families of Prisoners and Disappeared Sahrawis, issued the following press release in Paris on 25th July, 1996:

According to information received by the AFAPREDESA, 8 Saharawi prisoners of conscience are still confined in the prison of Sale (Morocco), in spite of the termination of their penalty last May 14th.

They are: 

    1. Ahmed EL KOURI
    2. Nebt Ramdane BOUCHRAYA
    3. Arbi Brahim BABA
    4. Cheykhatou BOUH
    5. M'Rabih Rabou NEYSAN
    6. Abdelhay LEKHAL
    7. Mahfoud Brahim DAHOU
    8. Salama Ahmed  LEMBARKI

The AFAPREDESA remembers that these young men were arrested after peaceful demonstrations in El Ayun (capital of the Western Sahara), on May 11th 1995. They campaigned for the holding of a fair and regular self-determination referendum of the Saharawi people and the liberation of all Saharawi prisoners and disappeared.

Judged by a military tribunal at Rabat in June 1995, these 8 young Saharawis were condemned to 15 to 20 years in prison. Nevertheless thanks to the mobilization and intervention of the international community the king of Morocco announced, in his speech on July 8th 1995, the commutation of the punishments to one year of jail.

The AFAPREDESA considers that this illegal imprisonment is a denial of justice and condemns forcefully this new violation of human rights against Sahrawi citizens.

The AFAPREDESA appeals urgently the international community to require the immediate and unconditional release of these 8 young Saharawis.

        ___________________________________________________________
                          A R S O
    Association de soutien a un referendum libre et regulier au
                       Sahara occidental

    Address.........................cp 2229, CH-2800 DELEMONT 2
    Tel./Fax........................0041 66 22 87 17
    E-mail..........................arso@hei.unige.ch
    URL.............................http://heiwww.unige.ch/arso/
    ___________________________________________________________
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Last Updated: 14 October 1996