Saharawi Hunger Strikes

Date: 08 January 2002

The Moroccan occupation authorities have launched a new raid and arrest campaign against 24 Saharans in the occupied towns of Laayoune and Smara, who are being added to the number of the Saharan political detainees, and locked them up in Laayoune prison, known as Lakhal Prison. Thus, the number of the Saharan prisoners in the same prison has risen to 131 prisoners.

In protest against the circumstances of the arbitrary arrests, mock trials and inhuman conditions, all the prisoners began an open
hunger strike since 24 December last. The situation became more difficult three days ago when they insisted on refusing to
consume anything, even sugar and water, which the families used to bring to them. Until to-date, 30 cases have been transferred to
hospital.

According to reports from the prison, the situation inside this prison is unimaginable. The prison was originally prepared to receive
100 prisoners only, while the Moroccan authorities squeeze 665 prisoners inside it, including 131 Saharans, in circumstances
which lacked the simplest requirements of life. The cells are small and large numbers of prisoners are crammed inside them, forcing the prisoners to sleep sitting and even in the toilets. As for the food, it is very bad and water is scarce. The only thing which is available in abundance is the drugs brought in by prison officials, let alone the oppression and discrimination to which the Saharans are subjected.

The UGTSARIO strongly denounces the Moroccan barbaric acts, and flagrant human rights abuses.

The UGTSARIO calls on all international and national trade unions to interfere urgently to stop this tragedy, which will inevitably lead to the loss of many innocent lives, by launching a protest move which calls for the unconditional release of the prisoners and denounces the arbitrary arrests and the deteriorating conditions inside the prison, such as accommodation, health and food.

The UGTSARIO also calls on all the forces which defend justice, peace and human rights to exert efforts to preserve the lives of our defenceless people in the occupied areas who are being unjustly killed in the dark, through:

-Denunciation and protest stances against these practices.

- Support and backing stances for those detainees.

- Corresponding with the Moroccan government to stop its blatant human rights abuses and immediately release all the Saharawi political detainees;

- Corresponding with the EU and UN bodies, through the Security Council and the secretary-general, asking them to intervene to
put an end to Morocco's programmed liquidation acts against our people in the occupied areas.

For further information

Contact:	Stephanie Brennan
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Phone:	9320 0042

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