Escalating Violence Against Activists in Occupied Western Sahara
In the occupied city of El Aaiún, Moroccan occupying forces have reportedly assaulted two members of the Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders Collective. Among those attacked is Ali Salem Tamek, a prominent human rights advocate and former political prisoner, who serves as the president of the Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders Collective in Western Sahara. Alongside him, Jadiyetu El Douai, the organization’s vice president and fellow human rights defender, also faced aggression from these forces.
The Moroccan police have imposed a strict siege on Tamek’s residence in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood of El Aaiún, where he lives with his family. This siege has not only involved constant surveillance of their home but also included the interruption of their electricity supply. On the afternoon of May 20, 2026, reports indicate that the occupying forces damaged parts of the electrical meter, exacerbating the family's distress.
Further compounding the situation, a high-ranking official from the occupying administration reportedly threatened and harassed Tamek in front of his ten-year-old son, a tactic commonly employed by Moroccan authorities to intimidate activists, blatantly violating humanitarian rights. In a related incident, Moroccan police obstructed the movement of Maaluma Alfalanji, a member of the same organization, along with her daughter Jalifa Al-Mujahid, as well as Bachir Buaamud, another member of the administrative committee.
The police have also directed threats and insults towards Jalifa Al-Rakbi, a Sahrawi human rights defender. Moreover, the harassment and restrictions against Jadiyetu El Douai continue unabated, as her electricity was cut off at 7:45 AM on May 20, 2026, by the Moroccan occupying police. According to testimonies from the activists, their home has been under siege for the past two weeks, infringing upon their right to personal security and freedom of movement.
Additionally, Nabiha Bounan, a member of the Tantán section of the Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders Collective, has also faced harassment and threats from Moroccan police forces. It is crucial to note that human rights defenders, bloggers, and Sahrawi civilians are routinely pursued and repressed due to their political stances on the Western Sahara issue and their peaceful activities advocating for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
As reported by spsrasd.info.
