Moroccan Occupation Forces Torture Sahrawi Prisoner to Death, Family Demands Justice

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | November 13th, 2024 — In a tragic and disturbing revelation, the regime of the Moroccan Makhzen has once again been accused of torturing a Sahrawi activist to death in a prison in the occupied city of Laayoune, situated within the contested territories of Western Sahara. Media outlets, citing sources close to the victim’s family, have reported that the family of Omar Bahia Abdelmajid has called for a full investigation into the incident, demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice for this heinous crime.

Omar Bahia Abdelmajid, a 57-year-old Sahrawi activist, was detained by Moroccan occupation forces without any clear charges or accusations. According to his family’s social media post, “Omar Bahia Abdelmajid was killed by the Moroccan occupying authorities under torture after his arrest, with no reason or charges brought against him.” The family further expressed that the only accusation against Sahrawi citizens by Moroccan forces is their very identity, which the regime deems sufficient justification for targeting and eliminating them.

In a powerful statement, the family of the late activist declared: “All Moroccans should remember that their criminal state is killing defenseless Sahrawi civilians, either through torture or by shooting them dead.” They stressed that Sahrawis are on their land, not in Moroccan cities like Kenitra or Meknes demanding anything, and that the right to resist and defend oneself is guaranteed under international law.

The tragedy of Abdelmajid’s death has raised the anger of his family, who have unequivocally placed full responsibility for his death on the Moroccan occupation. They have publicly called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his demise, the disclosure of autopsy results, and the prosecution of those responsible. In a poignant video shared on social media, the family’s plea for justice has gained significant attention, emphasizing the need for accountability and international scrutiny of Morocco’s human rights record in the occupied territories.

According to Spanish news outlet El Independiente, which covered the incident, Abdelmajid was a vocal critic of the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara. Sources close to his family revealed that the activist had recently participated in protests against the occupation, publicly chanting slogans in support of the Sahrawi independence movement, the Polisario Front. He had also openly denounced Morocco’s control over the region in front of a police station in Laayoune.

The circumstances leading to Abdelmajid’s arrest are equally alarming. Witnesses report that a week ago, amidst the celebrations of the so-called “Green March”—which marked Morocco’s military annexation of Western Sahara in 1975—Abdelmajid had a confrontation with a person before being arrested. A witness says that he was severely beaten and then taken directly to the “security prefecture.” He was later presented to a judge and prosecutor and transferred to the Lakhal prison in Laayoune. After this, his family lost contact with him. It was only when his sister went to the prison to deliver clothes and money that she was informed by prison staff that he had been rushed to the hospital. However, upon arrival at the hospital, the body was declared dead, with no official death certificate provided by the authorities.

The medical center, where Abdelmajid’s body was taken, confirmed that he arrived at the morgue without any official paperwork or cause of death from external authorities. The family firmly believes that their relative was tortured to death by Moroccan prison officials. This is just one of many similar cases documented by human rights organizations in recent years.

In its annual report published earlier this year, Amnesty International condemned the continued human rights abuses in the Moroccan-occupied territories of Western Sahara. Amnesty highlighted the Moroccan regime’s systematic repression of peaceful assemblies and its crackdown on activists advocating for Sahrawi independence. Numerous accounts from local activists report harassment, physical abuse, and intimidation by Moroccan forces.

The global community must now confront the reality of ongoing violence in the occupied territories. As Amnesty International reported, Moroccan police have used excessive force to suppress protests and prevent the free expression of Sahrawi political views. In September, during the first visit of UN envoy Staffan de Mistura to the region, Moroccan forces violently dispersed peaceful demonstrations in Laayoune, resulting in multiple injuries and arrests. More recently, Moroccan authorities obstructed a conference organized by the Sahrawi human rights group CODESA, subjecting attendees to physical violence.

The death of Omar Bahia Abdelmajid serves as yet another grim reminder of the brutal reality faced by the Sahrawi people under Moroccan occupation. His family’s call for justice underscores the urgent need for international attention and accountability. The torture and killing of civilians, the suppression of basic human rights, and the silencing of dissent are all hallmarks of the ongoing occupation that the world must confront.

The international community must demand that Morocco cease its repressive actions and comply with international human rights standards. The call for an independent investigation into Omar Bahia Abdelmajid’s death is not only a demand for justice for one individual but a plea for the protection of the fundamental rights of the Sahrawi people. Only through global pressure and accountability can the suffering of the Sahrawi people be alleviated and their right to self-determination be upheld.

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