Controversy Erupts as Spanish Government Refuses to Renew Residency Permit of Sahrawi Activist Aminatou Haïdar

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | August 17th, 2024 — The Spanish government’s recent refusal to renew the residence permit of Aminatou Haïdar, a prominent Sahrawi human rights activist, has provoked significant public outrage and cast a spotlight on broader issues of human rights advocacy and international diplomatic relations.

Aminatou Haïdar, an esteemed leader in the Sahrawi quest for independence, serves as the president of the Sahrawi Committee Against Moroccan Occupation (ISACOM). Her activism and defiant stance against Morocco’s illegal control of Western Sahara have made her a crucial symbol in the global struggle for human rights and justice.

In 2009, Haïdar garnered international attention by initiating a high-profile hunger strike at Lanzarote Airport, following her exclusion from returning to Western Sahara by Moroccan authorities. This dramatic protest underscored the severe conditions faced by the Sahrawi people and significantly raised global awareness about their plight.

The Controversial Decision

The Spanish government’s recent decision not to renew Haïdar’s residence permit has ignited widespread condemnation within Spain, especially from members of the Sumar political coalition. Critics have labeled the move as “shameful” and a serious failure to safeguard the rights of a notable human rights advocate.

Enrique Santiago of Izquierda Unida (IU) and Tesh Sidi of Más Madrid, deputies within the Sumar coalition, have vocally criticized the decision, demanding an explanation from the Spanish government. They argue that this decision undermines essential protections for Haïdar and other Sahrawi activists who face significant threats due to their opposition to Moroccan occupation.

Aminatou Haïdar has been a steadfast critic of the human rights violations perpetrated by Moroccan forces in Western Sahara. Her unyielding denunciation of the repression in the region has made her a target for Moroccan authorities, who vigilantly monitor her activities.

Despite the risks, Haïdar remains a prominent figure in international discussions on Western Sahara, advocating for justice and freedom amid considerable adversity.

The denial of Haïdar’s residence permit is particularly controversial given her serious health issues, including fibromyalgia, chronic osteoporosis, and the lasting effects of past torture. Critics assert that the decision reflects unjust administrative hurdles that disproportionately affect Sahrawi individuals seeking residency in Spain.

The failure to consider these medical concerns adds another dimension of controversy to the decision, revealing broader issues related to the treatment and protection of human rights activists.

A Snapshot of Western Sahara Cause: History, Current Challenges

The Western Sahara conflict is fundamentally a question of decolonization, as defined by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514. Adopted in December 1960, this resolution mandates the rapid and unconditional termination of colonialism in all its forms and asserts the right of all peoples to self-determination.

Western Sahara on the UN List of Non-Self-Governing Territories

Since 1963, Western Sahara has been classified by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory. This issue falls under the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly, also known as the Committee on Decolonization, which upholds the inalienable right of self-determination for the inhabitants of such territories.

International Support for a Referendum

The UN, African Union (AU), and European Union (EU) advocate for a referendum to determine the future status of Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), which is recognized by 80 countries, has been a member of the AU since 1982 and a founding member of the OAU upon its establishment in 2002. Morocco, on the other hand, withdrew from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1982 but rejoined the AU in 2017.

Historical Context and Current Challenges

In 1975, Spain, the former colonial power, withdrew from Western Sahara and transferred control to Morocco and Mauritania under the Madrid Accords of November 14, 1975. These accords were not recognized by the UN and faced opposition from the Polisario Front, which had been resisting both Spanish and Moroccan rule. Mauritania withdrew from its portion of Western Sahara in 1979.

Obstacles to a Referendum

The Polisario Front continued its armed resistance against Moroccan occupation until a ceasefire agreement was negotiated by the UN and AU in 1991. Despite the establishment of the UN Mission for the Organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the referendum has not been organized due to persistent Moroccan obstructions. Moroccan occupation forces have continued to violate the rights of the Sahrawi people, obstructing the process of self-determination.

Violation of the 1991 Ceasefire

On November 13, 2020, the Polisario Front was compelled to resume armed action following Moroccan forces’ attack on unarmed Sahrawi protesters in the El Guerguerat buffer zone. This breach of the 1991 ceasefire agreement led the Sahrawi leadership to announce the resumption of armed struggle against the occupying forces, which have ignored international legal standards.

Rejection of the so-called “Moroccan Autonomy Plan”

Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan is firmly rejected by the Sahrawi people, who assert their right to self-determination as guaranteed by the UN Charter. The recent endorsement of the Moroccan plan by France further complicates the situation. Spain’s failure to uphold its historical role as the administering power, as recognized by the UN, has been a significant setback in the quest for a just resolution to the conflict.

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