Spanish Political Parties Oppose Expulsion of Sahrawi Activists to Rabat
✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | September 26th, 2024 — Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, is under increasing pressure from political parties within the Sumar coalition to reverse his controversial decision to expel Sahrawi activists who recently sought asylum in Madrid. This demand was articulated during a session of the Congress of Deputies, where Inigo Errejon, the coalition’s spokesperson, emphasized the urgent necessity for the Spanish government to expedite the processing of asylum requests from Sahrawi citizens.
Errejon articulated, “The asylum requests of Sahrawi individuals must be treated with the utmost urgency. The risks associated with their return to Morocco are severe enough to warrant international protection from our country. The decision to expel them was made without our consent, and it is imperative that the Ministry of the Interior rectifies this situation.” His remarks reflect a growing concern among coalition members regarding the handling of these vulnerable individuals.
Adding to the urgency, Deputy Tesh Sidi urged the Ministry of the Interior to undertake thorough, case-by-case evaluations of the asylum applications submitted by Sahrawis. She stressed the importance of directly engaging with these individuals to grasp their precarious situations fully. Sidi warned that their forced expulsion to Morocco would not only jeopardize their safety but also contribute to a partnership that undermines fundamental human rights.
She highlighted specific cases of individuals in dire need, such as Ali Hammou, a deaf-mute cancer patient, and the family of Mohamed Ali Slimani, who fled repression in occupied Western Sahara. Sidi expressed bewilderment over the denial of asylum to approximately thirty Sahrawi activists at Barajas Airport, questioning why their cases were not individually assessed. She also challenged the government’s handling of complaints regarding the unsanitary conditions in which these individuals are being detained.
In a similarly passionate tone, Deputy Ione Belarra from Podemos condemned the decision, labeling it as “incomprehensible, intolerable, and infamy,” thereby aligning with the broader sentiment of concern regarding the treatment of the activists.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Sahrawi activists have initiated a hunger strike to protest their precarious situation following their arrival in Spain just days prior. Reports from Spanish media indicate that they are demanding that the Spanish government fulfill its “political duty” and grant them asylum, a call that resonates amid mounting humanitarian concerns.
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