Nine Sahrawi civilian prisoners, part of the Gdeim Izik group, are currently in the third day of their open-ended hunger strike, a form of protest against the Moroccan prison administration's refusal to allow their transfer to cities within the occupied Western Sahara. This refusal stands in violation of international humanitarian law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, which mandates the humane treatment and appropriate relocation of detainees. The hunger strike has drawn attention to the ongoing injustices faced by these prisoners who have been subjected to arbitrary detention for over 16 years, calling for urgent intervention from human rights organizations and humanitarian bodies to advocate for their basic rights.
The Sahrawi Mechanism for Coordinating Human Rights Work has expressed grave concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions within Moroccan prisons, highlighting the retaliatory and restrictive measures that these prisoners may face. As the situation unfolds, there are increasing fears of potential punitive actions against the detainees, further exacerbating their plight. This hunger strike is not merely a personal protest but a collective call to action that underscores the urgent need for international attention and support in addressing the human rights violations occurring under Moroccan occupation.
As reported by aps.dz.
