- Nineteen Saharawi prisoners have been in prison for more than seven years. The trial took place last July and Morocco sentenced them to life in prison for twenty years.
Maitre Outed, a lawyer for political prisoners, told Por Un Sahara Libre that he is concerned about the situation in prison. Because the Moroccan authorities do not respect human rights and prisoners suffer ill-treatment, torture and rape.
The lawyer points out that he has filed numerous complaints but is ignored by Morocco and does not open an investigation to examine the situation. Family members have also filed complaints with both the Moroccan authorities and the Moroccan human rights institution, but have not received a response.
Isabel Lourenqo, a human rights activist, is concerned about the reality of prisoners and their families. He says that the prisoners are far from their families (approximately 1,200 kilometers away) and their children suffer greatly. In addition, their visits are limited.
The trial was held last July
In 2010, he accused the defendants of the murder of eleven police officers who had gone to dismantle what he called the Dignity Camp. After the trial, two people were released. However, the other members were sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Moroccan court.
The defendants testified on several occasions that they had been subjected to torture.