Condemnation of Surveillance Practices

The "Association of Friendship Committees with the Sahrawi People in Central and Eastern Europe" has issued a strong condemnation of Morocco's use of a comprehensive digital surveillance system targeting journalists, activists, and human rights defenders advocating for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and freedom. According to reports from the Sahrawi news agency, the association emphasizes that this extensive monitoring is not merely a tool for data collection; rather, it systematically facilitates the fabrication of charges, execution of arrests, and orchestrates smear campaigns through media outlets loyal to the Moroccan occupation. Such actions aim to suppress the voices of human rights defenders and criminalize their peaceful activities in Western Sahara.

Call for Immediate Action and Investigation

In light of these revelations, the association has called for the immediate release of Sahrawi political prisoners and demands an independent investigation into the violations committed by Moroccan intelligence agencies. They advocate for a global ban on the sale and transfer of surveillance technology to Morocco until there are guarantees to respect human rights. The association condemned the oppressive policies of the Moroccan authorities, asserting that these repressive measures will not deter the Sahrawi people from continuing their legitimate struggle for freedom and independence.

This statement follows international reports detailing the surveillance system employed by Moroccan authorities to target and track Sahrawi journalists and human rights defenders. This system combines digital techniques with ground surveillance, allowing for the tracking of individuals' movements, intercepting communications, taking photographs, and recording conversations in private settings, as well as gathering information from their surroundings.

Among the tools utilized, the Israeli-made "Pegasus" software has been notably effective, reportedly used by Morocco’s General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance since 2017, alongside the Moroccan telecommunications company, to infiltrate targeted individuals and monitor their activities through eavesdropping devices.

As reported by aps.dz.