On International Human Rights Day, Sahrawis Under Moroccan Occupation Need Urgent Attention
Working Group on Human Rights in Western Sahara
10 December 2025
On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Working Group on Human Rights in Western Sahara wishes to draw the attention of the international community to the serious and persistent deterioration of fundamental rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, where the Sahrawi people continue to face a climate of repression, impunity and systematic violence. This day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reminds us that dignity, justice and freedom must be universal. However, for thousands of Sahrawis under Moroccan occupation, these principles continue to be denied on a daily basis five years after US President Donald Trump illegally recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, emboldening Morocco to heighten its repression and contributing to a climate of impunity in the territory.
A Pattern of Systematic Violations
According to data from the latest report published this year by the Working Group on Human Rights in Western Sahara, the situation in the occupied territory shows a pattern of systematic repression against human rights defenders, who face daily harassment, constant surveillance and restrictions on their mobility. Sahrawi activists who carry out peaceful documentation and advocacy work suffer physical and verbal attacks, while Sahrawi organizations face increasing obstacles to carrying out their work, including the confiscation of materials, the impossibility of holding meetings and the forced closure of spaces. Added to this are arbitrary detentions and trials without guarantees. Many people are arrested without a warrant for participating in peaceful demonstrations or expressing critical opinions. Judicial proceedings lack transparency, are based on forced confessions, and often take place without the accused having adequate defense. These practices result in disproportionate sentences that seek to discourage Sahrawi social and political activism. There is also excessive use of force against demonstrators and the civilian population, accompanied by night-time raids, destruction of property and threats against Sahrawi families. Several reports document cases of torture, cruel treatment and ill-treatment in detention centers, further aggravating the humanitarian situation. Other grave violations include economic strangulation imposed on human rights defenders, land grabbing for colonial purposes, whether by the occupying State or by foreign investors, as well as gender-based violence weaponized against women human rights defenders. Furthermore, severe restrictions on freedom of expression, association and the press persist. Independent journalists are subject to persecution, while cultural activities and family gatherings linked to Sahrawi identity are frequently banned. Access to the territory remains blocked for international observers, non-governmental organizations, journalists and parliamentary delegations, preventing independent monitoring and fostering an environment of impunity.
Absence of International Protection Mechanisms
The absence of a permanent international mission with a human rights mandate remains one of the biggest obstacles to the effective protection of the Sahrawi people. In fact, for nine consecutive years, Morocco has continued to block the entry of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights into the occupied Sahrawi territories. Despite this, in May this year, in response to a complaint submitted by the Working Group on Human Rights in Western Sahara, the Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations Committed by the Moroccan State (ASVDH) and the Collective of Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara (CODESA), eight United Nations Special Rapporteurs have publicly denounced Morocco's ongoing campaign of repression, racial discrimination and violence against Sahrawi human rights defenders, journalists and activists in a historic communication. In the communication, the Special Rapporteurs highlighted 79 Sahrawi victims, emphasising "the widespread pattern of violence and systematic attacks that demonstrate racial discrimination against Sahrawis". The lack of independent observation creates an environment of impunity, where violations can be committed without oversight or consequences.
Urgent Appeal
On this symbolic date, the Working Group on Human Rights in Western Sahara makes an urgent appeal to the international community, UN member states, the African Union and regional organizations to:
1. Demand an immediate end to all forms of repression against the Sahrawi civilian population.
2. Release those arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental rights.
3. Guarantee full and unrestricted access to the territory for international observers.
4. Establish an independent human rights monitoring mechanism within the framework of the United Nations.
5. Protect Sahrawi defenders from reprisals.
6. Promote a fair and transparent political process, in accordance with international resolutions and the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people.
Finally, on this International Human Rights Day, we recall that the struggle of the Sahrawi people for justice, freedom and dignity is a struggle for human rights, which deserves urgent attention and international solidarity.
Contact: Working Group on Human Rights in Western Sahara ([email protected])
If you wish to support Western Sahara solidarity or learn more, please visit the Western Sahara Solidarity Committee website and contact them.
Fifty Years of Occupation: Nonviolent Solidarity with Western Sahara
November 2025 marks 50 years since Morocco’s Green March into Western Sahara, an event that reshaped the region and set in motion one of the world’s longest-standing, unresolved struggles for self-determination. In 1975, as Spain prepared to withdraw from its colony, Morocco organized a mass mobilization of over 350,000 people, to cross into Western Sahara.
Framed as a peaceful act, it was in reality a state-sponsored occupation, followed by military invasion and decades of repression. The International Court of Justice had just affirmed the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination, yet their homeland was divided and occupied, leading to their exile in the Algerian city of Tindouf, where about 174.000 continue to live in refugee camps to this day.
Half a century later, the consequences of that march endure. Families remain separated by the 2,700km Moroccan military wall — one of the longest and most heavily mined barriers in the world. In the occupied territories, Saharawi activists face imprisonment, harassment, and the denial of basic rights. In the refugee camps in Tindouf, generations have grown up in exile, sustained by community resilience and an unbroken commitment to their cause.
Despite the immense challenges of occupation and exile, the Saharawi struggle has long embodied the principles of nonviolent resistance. Saharawi activists, many of them women and youth, continue to advocate for justice through peaceful protest, human rights documentation, international legal appeals, and global awareness campaigns.
Western Sahara remains Africa’s last colony, yet the international community too often looks away. Decades of UN resolutions affirm the Saharawi right to self-determination, but the promised referendum has never taken place. Meanwhile, the exploitation of Saharawi natural resources, from phosphates to fisheries to renewable energy, continues without their consent.
Last week, the UN adopted a resolution on Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal, backed by countries including the U.S, U.K, France and Spain, sidelining the Polisario Front’s long-standing call for a referendum.
On this 50th anniversary of the Green March, Nonviolence International calls on:
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Governments to uphold international law and support the long-delayed referendum on self-determination and reject Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal.
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Companies to end the exploitation of Western Sahara’s resources without the consent of its people.
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Media and educators to amplify Saharawi voices silenced by the media blackout on the region.
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Activists and civil society to engage and donate to projects, such as the Western Sahara Solidarity Campaign, that embody the spirit of nonviolent action.
As we mark fifty years since the Green March, and the recent UN discussions, solidarity with the Saharawi people is more urgent than ever. Their steadfast commitment to dignity, justice, and nonviolence in the face of occupation offers a moral compass for the world. True peace cannot be built on occupation or erasure, it must be grounded in justice and self-determination.
NVI Activists Visit Occupied Western Sahara and are Deported by Morocco
El Aaiún (Layounne), Occupied Western Sahara – On Sunday, August 24, Moroccan agents expelled two activists with Nonviolence International – Elaf Hasan and Bianca Peracchi Afonso – who had traveled to Western Sahara to experience Saharawi culture and to meet those who currently live under Moroccan occupation.
Bianca Afonso reported, “I was shocked by the mis-treatment we experienced in El Aaiún by the Moroccan agents. This pales in comparison to the repression and abuses that the Sahrawi people shared with me as they live under illegal occupation.”
According to the International Court of Justice and most countries, Morocco’s occupation and annexation of the Western Sahara is illegal and not recognized.
Prior to their expulsion, the pair had met in Villa Cisneros (Dakhla), Western Sahara, with Saharawis and toured their communities. They witnessed the disparity between the downtown dominated by Moroccan tourist businesses and poor Saharawi communities that have been displaced to its outskirts. They posed for a photo with the human rights defenders and former political prisoners with the Western Sahara flag which was widely circulated after their deportation.
After a bus trip through 7 military checkpoints to El Aaiún, the capital of Western Sahara, they were seized by unknown agents of the Moroccan government who deported and accompanied them to Morocco and all the way to the US and Spain.
Elaf Hasan said “I enjoyed the warmth of the people, the stunning beaches and dunes and the taste of authentic Saharawi tea. It is important that people around the world become aware of the plight of the Saharawi people.”
Nonviolence International views the deportations as part of a longstanding pattern of silencing international observers and restricting independent reporting from Western Sahara.
“This expulsion demonstrates Morocco’s fear of transparency,” said NVI founder, Dr. Mubarak Awad, “Instead of allowing peaceful visitors to engage with Saharawi communities, the occupation forces illegally respond with falsehoods and deportations. Just as Israel’s occupation of Palestine must end, so must Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara end.”
Sahrawi Filmmakers Condemn Christopher Nolan’s Filming in Occupied Western Sahara
Sahrawi filmmakers and cultural activists have strongly criticized acclaimed director Christopher Nolan for shooting scenes of his upcoming film in Dakhla, a city in Western Sahara under Moroccan occupation. According to a report by Middle East Eye, local voices argue that the decision disregards the region’s political status and the struggles of its indigenous Sahrawi population.
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The Western Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara) issued a statement denouncing the production, describing Dakhla as “a city occupied and militarized whose indigenous Sahrawi population is subject to brutal repression.”
- Activists argue that filming in the occupied territory risks legitimizing Morocco’s ongoing occupation and erasing Sahrawi voices.
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Nolan, known for films like Oppenheimer and Inception, has not commented publicly on the criticism.
- Sahrawi artists and filmmakers have called for greater international solidarity and awareness of the occupation.
Nonviolence International and the Western Sahara Solidarity Committee (WSSC) stand in solidarity with Sahrawi filmmakers and the broader struggle for self-determination in Western Sahara. We believe cultural production must respect the rights, histories, and voices of occupied peoples. This controversy underscores the need for ethical engagement and international awareness of the Sahrawi people’s peaceful resistance.
This update is based on a report originally published by Middle East Eye in July 2025.
Read the full article here.
Call to Action
If you share our commitment to amplifying marginalized voices, we invite you to support Sahrawi-led cultural initiatives and to join us in advocating for justice in Western Sahara.
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Donate today – Every contribution helps us fund grassroots action, support Sahrawi activists, and break the silence.
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Volunteer with WSSC – Be part of a growing network of advocates raising global awareness and standing up for freedom.
- Sign our petition to stop the whitewashing of Morocco's occupation on Western Sahara.
Western Sahara Solidarity Committee
Who We Are?
- The Western Sahara Solidarity Committee (WSSC) was formed in 2025 to help support the struggle for self-determination in Western Sahara, which has increasingly come under attack by its occupier, Morocco, and western countries who are promoting the ongoing colonization of Western Sahara under the guise of autonomy.
How Did We Start?
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In March of 2022, a group of unarmed civilian protectors gained entrance into Western Sahara to serve as witnesses to the Moroccan siege on the home of Sahrawi human rights defenders Sultana and Luara Khaya. The Khaya sisters are members of the Saharawi Organ against the Moroccan Occupation (ISACOM), an organization founded in September 2020 to advocate for the right of non-violent self-determination for people in Western Sahara and to work for the release of Saharawi political prisoners.
- The individuals who helped organize that trip, together with new volunteers and Sahrawi organizers, have formed the WSSC as a means to draw attention to the ongoing struggle which has persevered since the United Nations' first call for decolonization in 1965 and the formation of the indigenous Sahrawi independence movement in 1973.
Modern Day Imperialism in Western Sahara
- Since November 2020, Moroccan authorities have intensified their crackdown on pro-independence Sahrawi activists through arrests, ill-treatment, and harassment aimed at silencing dissent. Amnesty International documented abuses against 22 individuals, including torture, house raids, and detention for peaceful acts like social media posts, protests, and displaying the Sahrawi flag. Such repression followed by clashes in Al Guerguerat, where Moroccan forces dismantled a peaceful Sahrawi protest camp.
- Both Western Sahara and Palestine are recognized by the United Nations as non-self-governing territories with unresolved status. Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, while Israel asserts control over the West Bank, East Jerusalem. In both cases, the indigenous populations–Sahrawis and Palestinians–continue to demand self-determination, which is systematically denied by the occupying power.
- The Sahrawi struggle In 1975, Morocco invaded the territory following the departure of the Spanish colonizers, and has occupied Western Sahara ever since. Following years of armed struggle, a ceasefire was brokered by the UN in 1991 which included a provision to hold a referendum on self-determination. That referendum has yet to take place.
- In recent years, the Moroccan government has been pushing an autonomy plan of its own creation and without the input of Sahrawis or their elected representatives, which would continue the colonization of Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.
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As part of Morocco's agreement to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords (announced in December 2020), the United States under President Trump recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. This was the first time a Western power took such a position publicly. This was followed by Spain recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2022, Israel in 2023, France in 2024, and the United Kingdom in 2025.
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To be clear, although the governments of these countries have recognized Moroccan sovereignty, these moves have been opposed by members and organizations of their civil society. Western Sahara remains a "non-self governing territory" as recognized by the United Nations, and a plurality of countries support the right to self-determination in Western Sahara.
What Are Some Of The Values We Reflect?
- Respect for human rights to include the right to self-determination
- True decolonization rather than imperialism by other means
- A commitment to the principles of nonviolence
What Are Some Of The Approaches We Employ To Pursue Our Goals?
- Education and increased awareness of the history and current brutal occupation of Western Sahara by Moroccan forces
- Grassroots campaigns in support of the Sahrawi quest for self-determination
- Encourage U.S. policy to align with the ideals of decolonization and human rights
Fiscal Sponsorship:
- WSSC is currently under the fiscal sponsorship and support of Nonviolence International (NVI).
Nonviolent Resistance to the Occupation and Annexation of Western Sahara by Morocco
For those new to this topic, please scroll down to learn from the many resources below.
NVI supports Just Visit Western Sahara, a project of the Western Sahara Solidarity Committee. Our mission is to support the human rights and self-determination of the Sahrawi people and to encourage international tourists to visit the region. NVI has long supported Sahrawis who continue to resist the occupation and annexation of Western Sahara by Morocco. Invaded by Morocco in 1975 (with strong support from the United States), Sahrawi resistance has included both armed struggle and nonviolent action. NVI specifically supports nonviolent resistance and calls for an end to the Moroccan occupation. Western Sahara is recognized by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory. In 1991, the UN promised to hold a referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. To this day, that referendum has not taken place.
In recent years, nonviolent resistance has been led substantially by Sahrawi women including the Khaya Sisters. In 2022, NVI in conjunction with other groups, intervened in the siege of the Khaya Sisters. At the invitation of the Khaya family in Boujdour, Western Sahara, US-based volunteers arrived at their home to protect them from human rights abuses and break the almost 500-day siege of the house imposed by Moroccan occupation forces. Sultana Khaya was escorted to Spain by our team on Jun 3rd, 2022 to obtain medical care.
In June of 2023, Wynd Kaufmyn and Adrienne Kinne who were participants in the intervention to visist the Khaya family, spoke powerfully of their experiences of the Saharawi people and Moroccan illegal occupation at the UN Special Committee on Decolonization. Please these 4 minutes videos and read more below the Saharawi people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsUYr25VRxw&ab_channel=KaramaSahara
Here is Wynd Kaufmyn's testimony!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFmpw8zsRn4&ab_channel=KaramaSahara
Here is Adrienne Kinne's testimony
September 2023 Waari Khaya and Sahrawi Women Protest During UN Visit.
"Sahawaris peacefully demonstrated in the capital city of El-Aaiún in response to the arrival of the United Nations Special Envoy to Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura."
Nonviolent resistance to occupation and annexation continues. The media release is here and the results of her beating by Moroccan authorities are shown below.
Sultana Khaya is touring the world speaking out against Moroccan occupation and abuses.
On February 7th, 2023, Sultana Khaya spoke to the European Parliament about her experience in the aftermath of a scandal in which massive Moroccan corruption of the European Parliament led to failure to win the Sakharov Prize.
In December, the Vice President of Parliament, Eva Kaili as well as other key figures were arrested in conjunction with allegations that they recieved money in exchange for favorable actions for Qatar and Morocco. " The Italian newspaper "Il fatto quotidiano", quoting investigators from the federal prosecutor's office in Brussels, indicated that the interference of the Moroccan regime would not have been limited to influencing the decisions of the European Parliament concerning Morocco, but would also have been focused on the "appointment of members of Eurochamber committees that dealt with sensitive issues for the Maghreb country", including that of 'candidates for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought'. See here for the full article. https://www.spsrasd.info/news/en/articles/2022/12/24/43391.html For more information on the scandal, watch the Democracy Now Interview.
The Siege of the Khaya Sisters in 2021 and 2022.
US-Based Volunteer Adrienne Kinne interrupting the siege with Sultana Khaya and friends.
Supported by the Human Rights Action Center (HRAC), NVI and a network of other human rights groups, the international unarmed civilian protection (UCP) volunteers, Ruth McDonough, Adrienne Kinne, Merwyn De Mello and Tim Pluth visited the Sultana family.
Since November 2020, the Khaya Sisters had been forcibly confined to their home and the family has faced many forms of abuse, including home invasions, sexual violence and injections of unknown substances. The Khaya sisters have been raped by Moroccan security forces in front of their 84-year-old mother. Furthermore, their water has been poisoned, furniture and property destroyed, and electricity cut-off.
Referring to her experience, Sultana Khaya shared, “I am not the first Saharawi woman to be raped by the occupiers. I am simply the first woman to speak publicly about it. I have to expose the reality of the occupation. And I need to pave the way for the next generation of Saharawi women.”
Sultana Khaya is a Saharawi human rights defender whose work focuses on promoting the right of self-determination for the Saharawi people and ending violence against Saharawi women, through active participation in nonviolent efforts and demonstrations. She serves as the president of the Saharawi League for the Defense of Human Rights and the Protection of Western Sahara’s Natural Resources, and is a member of the Saharawi Commission against the Moroccan occupation (ISACOM). She is a nominee for the Sakharov Prize and winner of the Esther Garcia Award. As an outspoken activist, she has been targeted by the occupying Moroccan forces while engaged in peaceful protests, enduring abductions, beatings, and having one eye gouged out.
The US-based visitors called for an end to the rapes, freedom of movement for the Khaya family and all visitors, and an independent international investigation of these human rights abuses.
Grounded in international law, Unarmed Civilian Protection is a nonpartisan strategy that revolves around the use of nonviolent methods by civilians to protect other civilians under threat. Such protection is provided on invitation from local actors and supports local agency and infrastructures for peace.
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other highly respected investigative groups have documented widespread detentions, the torture of dissidents, and violent suppression of peaceful protests by Moroccan forces in Western Sahara.
On 1 July 2021, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, condemned the reprisals against Sultana Khaya and expressed “particular concern about the apparent use of violence and the threat of violence to prevent and obstruct women human rights defenders in their peaceful human rights activities.”
Nonviolence International's History of Nonviolent Action in Western Sahara
NVI has been worked to support nonviolent resistance to Moroccan occupation since 1991.
September 2022, NVI launches an online pledge calling on everyone to support nonviolent resistance to all occupations and forcible annexations, whether they be in Western Sahara, Golan Heights, Greater Jerusalem, or Ukraine.
June 2022, Sultana Khaya is escorted to Spain for medical care.
May 2022, A 2nd delegation of US based visitors to the Khaya family were kidnapped by unknown Moroccans and deported from Western Sahara.
May 2022. Moroccan authorities repeatedly smash the Khaya residence with a massive truck to kill all of its residents and US guests.
April 2022: In Nonviolent Strategies and Stories in Israel-Palestine and Western Sahara, Michael Beer and Osama Elewat speak with the Metta Center for Nonviolence on the power of nonviolence.
March 2022: NVI in conjunction with other NGOs, organized a team of US based activists to visit the Khaya Sisters and break the almost 500 day siege.
January 2022: Stephen Zunes writes in Foreign Policy in Focus that President Biden's refusal to reverse President Trump's policy on Western Sahara has dangerous global implications.
Zunes piece in The Progressive warned that the threat of further Russian aggression against Ukraine was real and noted that the Biden administration is in a weak position to lead an international response.
December 2021: Khaya Family Update
March 2021: Nonviolence International is proud to make connections across boundaries that for far too long we have allowed to divide us. This NVI webinar connects those resisting occupation from Palestine to Western Sahara. We believe in the power of active nonviolence and offer this conversation as a way to celebrate brave nonviolent leaders and our shared use of creative Nonviolent Tactics and Training to make us even more impactful.
(Video above shows Sultana Khaya - while under heavy surveillance - joining our webinar through Salka Barca. Note the 22-minute mark, at which Sultana Khaya dramatically confronts those who besiege her house.)
CNN featured Sultana Khaya’s powerful op-ed on a difficult topic that rarely gets the attention it deserves (Morocco: Western Sahara Activist Raped)
November 2020: NVI's Director, Michael Beer co-wrote this piece calling for an End to the Conflict in Western Sahara) and encouraging the US Government to change it policies towards Western Sahara.
Nonviolence International supports international law and opposes the unlawful and violent occupations of its neighbors by Israel, Morocco and Russia.
July 2020: Nonviolence International's statement on annexation.
(Mubarak Awad & Jonathan Kuttab in Western Sahara in 2015)
2015, NVI's co-founders Mubarak Awad and Jonathan Kuttab are some of the few Palestinians and Americans who have gone and done solidarity work with them in the occupied territory.
2014, Jonathan Kuttab visits Western Sahara to speak about nonviolent resistance to occupation, human rights, and international law.
2005, NVI invites a Sahrawi representative to speak in Bethlehem at the World Conference on Nonviolent Resistance.
1991-2013, NVI is one of the only organizations to lead protests in Washington DC against Moroccan occupation and abuse in Western Sahara.
Resources on Western Sahara
A BATTLEFIELD TRANSFORMED: FROM GUERILLA RESISTANCE TO MASS NONVIOLENT STRUGGLE IN THE WESTERN SAHARA
Dr. Maria J. Stephan and Jacob Mundy.
War Resisters International’s January 2021
Statement in the Face of War and Western Sahara Country Profile
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy's nine minute video on Western Sahara
Democracy Now's hour long documentary: Four Days in Occupied Western Sahara: Africa's Last Colony.
An 2022 update on the Geo-politics of Western Sahara, by Jacob Mundy.
https://theconversation.com/unpacking-the-power-plays-over-western-sahara-186675
Donate to support NVI's ongoing efforts to promote nonviolence in Western Sahara here.
