CODESA

🔴 Human Rights Alert Western Sahara – Occupied Al-Aaiun 30 June 2025 ✔️ Moroccan Occupation Forces Besiege CODESA Headquarters and Prevent Human Rights Assembly in Occupied El-Ayoun Today, 30 June 2025, Moroccan occupation forces imposed a siege on the home of Sahrawi human rights defender and former political prisoner Ali Salem Tamek @ali_tamk, President of CODESA. The residence, located in the Al-Moustakbal neighborhood of occupied Al-Aaiun, serves as the temporary headquarters of CODESA. This military encirclement aimed to prevent the holding of the founding general assembly of CODESA’s Al-Aaiun branch and to block a solidarity event in support of Sahrawi political prisoners held in Moroccan prisons—foremost among them, the detainees of the Gdeim Izik Group. This latest act of repression is part of a wider campaign of intimidation, harassment, and systematic obstruction targeting members of CODESA, particularly women human rights defenders. It reflects Morocco’s ongoing policy of criminalizing and dismantling peaceful human rights work in occupied Western Sahara. Despite repeated international condemnation, including from 11 #United_Nations_Special_Rapporteurs, #AmnestyInternational, #FrontLineDefenders, the World Organisation Against Torture (#OMCT), and the International Federation for Human Rights (#FIDH), Moroccan occupation forces continue to impose arbitrary restrictions, surveillance, and bans on CODESA’s activities and members. These actions constitute a blatant violation of international human rights obligations and defy calls for the protection of human rights defenders in the occupied territory. This escalation follows the Moroccan authorities’ unlawful decision to ban CODESA’s First National Congress, scheduled for 23 October 2023 in Al-Aaiun, representing a grave breach of the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, as guaranteed by international human rights law and international humanitarian law. CODESA strongly condemns this repressive siege and holds the Moroccan occupation forces fully responsible for the safety of human rights defender Ali Salem Tamek, his family, and all members of the organization. The organization renews its call on relevant international bodies to urgently intervene to put an end to the ongoing campaign of repression and systematic targeting, and to ensure the protection of Sahrawi human rights defenders in #WesternSahara . @omctorg @amnesty @amnestyusa @MaryLawlorhrds @FrontLineHRD @hrw @fidh_en @ToneSMoe @RaftoFoundation @GovernmentZA @peoplesdispatch @GLALegalDefense @UNHumanRights