UN Findings on Torture and Human Rights Violations in Western Sahara
The United Nations Committee Against Torture has reaffirmed its findings that the Moroccan regime has systematically violated the rights of Sahrawi political prisoners, particularly those associated with the peaceful protest camp of Gdeim Izik. This camp, located approximately 12 kilometers from Laayoune in the occupied Western Sahara, was established by Sahrawis to voice their discontent regarding discrimination and poor social and economic conditions. The committee's conclusions, published on May 20, 2026, highlight a troubling pattern of arbitrary arrests, solitary confinement, and torture during interrogations aimed at coercing confessions for use in judicial proceedings. The review encompassed ten similar cases, all pointing to a consistent method of oppression employed by Moroccan authorities against these detainees.
According to the UN committee, the detainees were subjected to severe mistreatment upon their arrest by Moroccan officials following the forceful dismantling of the Gdeim Izik camp in 2010. Reports indicate that these individuals faced brutal beatings, cigarette burns, threats of sexual violence, and were held in inhumane conditions, including solitary confinement and deprivation of food and medical care. Furthermore, they were denied access to legal counsel and family visits, exacerbating their suffering.
Systemic Issues in Moroccan Judicial Practices
Peter Vedel Kessing, the committee's vice president, emphasized that these cases are not isolated incidents but indicative of a structural issue within Morocco's handling of Gdeim Izik-related cases. He pointed out that when allegations of torture are repeatedly raised yet ignored, the integrity of legal proceedings is jeopardized, undermining the absolute prohibition against torture. Furthermore, the UN committee highlighted that Sahrawi detainees reported their experiences of torture to various judicial authorities, only to have their complaints dismissed without investigation. It wasn't until six years later that a medical examination was finally ordered, but it lacked adherence to the Istanbul Protocol, rendering it ineffective.
Moreover, the committee underscored the obligation of the state to conduct immediate investigations when detainees present visible signs of torture. The exclusion of evidence obtained through torture is a fundamental safeguard that must be upheld, and authorities are required to verify contested confessions before they can be used in court. Many of the detainees reported being coerced into signing documents they did not understand, which were later utilized as key evidence against them in military trials, resulting in severe sentences.
The UN Committee concluded that Morocco has violated its obligations under the Convention Against Torture by failing to ensure prompt and impartial investigations into torture allegations, providing effective safeguards against such abuses, and ensuring accountability for those responsible. The committee reiterated its concern over the lack of thorough investigations by Moroccan authorities and their continued reliance on torture-derived confessions in resolved cases. They asserted that the recurrence of these deficiencies points to a deeper, systemic problem in the management of cases related to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik camp. Kessing urged Morocco to take urgent corrective measures to prevent further violations.
In light of these findings, the UN has called on Morocco to conduct impartial and comprehensive investigations into torture allegations, fully complying with the revised Istanbul Protocol, and to hold perpetrators accountable. The state is also urged to provide full reparations to the victims, including fair compensation and rehabilitation. Furthermore, the committee requested that Morocco consider reviewing the convictions of the detainees and annul them where appropriate, ensuring access to family, lawyers, and medical professionals of their choice while prohibiting any form of pressure or retaliation against them.
As reported by arainfo.org.
