Activist Claude Mangin Denounces Conditions of Detention of Sahrawi Prisoners in Moroccan Jails
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Claude Mangin, a French human rights activist and wife of Sahrawi political prisoner Naâma Asfari, has once again raised her voice to denounce the appalling conditions of detention faced by Sahrawi prisoners in Moroccan jails. Mrs. Mangin, who has been a tireless advocate for the Sahrawi cause, used the occasion of the municipal festival in Ivry-sur-Seine to draw attention to the plight of Sahrawi detainees and to promote international solidarity.
Ivry-sur-Seine, located near Paris, annually hosts a municipal festival in June that serves as a platform for raising public awareness on various issues. This year, Mrs. Mangin seized this opportunity to shed light on the Sahrawi question through the exhibition of photographs, posters, and books aimed at educating the public and generating support for the cause.
In an interview with “Equipe Media Sahrawie,” Mrs. Mangin highlighted France’s role and responsibility as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Expressing her disappointment, she underscored the lack of support from her country in the UN’s efforts to resolve the Sahrawi question. She called for greater involvement from Paris in finding a just and lasting solution to the conflict.
The French activist also passionately spoke about the dire and inhumane conditions endured by Sahrawi detainees in Moroccan prisons for several years. She urged the international community to pay special attention to this issue and take action to secure their release. In line with this, Mrs. Mangin announced the launch of a petition demanding the release of these prisoners who have been unlawfully incarcerated for over a decade. The petition aims to put pressure on the Moroccan Minister of Justice to address this grave human rights concern.
Additionally, Mrs. Mangin highlighted a significant event that took place this year, namely the signing of a friendship and cooperation protocol between the municipality of Ivry-sur-Seine and the town of Mejik in the Sahrawi refugee camps. She emphasized that this agreement has further strengthened relations between the two parties, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in resolving conflicts and promoting human rights.
Naâma Asfari, husband of Claude Mangin, is a prominent human rights defender and one of the 22 Sahrawi activists from the Gdeim Izik group who were sentenced by military justice in Morocco. He has been unjustly imprisoned for 12 years, serving a 30-year sentence. His case symbolizes the plight of many Sahrawi prisoners who have been subjected to unfair trials and harsh conditions.
Claude Mangin’s dedication and activism serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by the Sahrawi people and the urgent need for international attention and action. The international community must heed her call and work towards a just resolution of the Western Sahara conflict, ensuring the release of Sahrawi prisoners and upholding the fundamental principles of human rights.
