A candle-lit vigil will take place this evening in central London to call for the immediate release of 7 prominent Saharawi human rights activists arrested in Casablanca nearly two weeks ago. The advocates have long history of monitoring of and reporting on human rights violations in Western Sahara. They were driven away by security forces after returning from a visit to the refugee camps in the Algerian desert where 165,000 Saharawi's have lived for over three decades. Neither their location nor the reason for their detention has been disclosed. Human rights organisations including Amnesty International have expressed serious concerns about this latest incident in a country where over 500 Saharawi activists have 'disappeared'.

In a symbolic gesture campaigners will float seven candles on the Regent's canal at Camden Lock this evening in an act of solidarity with the seven detainees. They will be joined by Salah Amaidan, the Olympic hopeful from Western Sahara who regularly trains with Paula Radcliffe, in calling on Morocco to immediately release the seven activists without charge.

Stefan Simanowitz, Chair of the Free Western Sahara Network, said today:
“We are deeply concerned about the situation facing these seven human rights defenders and the damaging impact that their unwarranted detention could have on the forthcoming UN-sponsored negotiations aimed at resolving this long-running dispute. We call on Morocco to follow due process and respect the legal rights of Ahmed Alansari, Brahim Dahane, Yahdih Ettarouzi, Saleh Labihi, Dakja Lashgar, Rachid Sghir and Ali Salem Tamek. Their exact place of detention must be disclosed and they must be provided with immediate access to their families, lawyers and any medical attention they might require. Punitive sentencing of these respected campaigners would be unjustified and would be detrimental to the “atmosphere of mutual respect” described by UN Special Envoy Christopher Ross, at an informal meeting of the two parties to the negotiations in Austria in August.”

Vigil - 9pm – Camden Lock – 19/10/09

Talk & film showing – 19/10/09 - (7.30pm, Inspiral Lounge, 250 Camden High Street) – organised by Sandblast (www.sandblast-arts.org.uk)

Visit www.freesahara.ning.com

NOTES
1.Those arrested are:
Ali Salem Tamek, first vice president of the Collective of Saharawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA) and member of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH);
Brahim Dahane, president of the Saharawi Association of Victims of Serious Violations Committed by Morocco (ASVDH);
Ahmad Anasiri, general secretary of the Saharawi Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Smara and president of AMDH – Smara Chapter;
Dagja Lachgar, member of the executive office of ASVDH;
Yahdih Ettarrouzi, member of AMDH – Laayounne Chapter;
Saleh Lebayhi, president of the Forum for Protection of Sahrawi Children and member of the Laayoune Chapter of CODESA and AMDH;
Rachid Sghayar, member of Committee Action against Torture.

2. Western Sahara has been unlawfully occupied for over thirty four years despite over 100 UN resolutions and a ruling by the International Court of Justice. The Saharawi people have been forced either to live in refugee camps in the Algerian desert or under oppressive Moroccan occupation in Western Sahara. Human rights bodies including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have raised concerns about rights abuses in the territories.

3. Free Western Sahara Network is a global campaigning initiative which aims to link all groups and individuals together to increase political pressure and hasten self-determination in for Western Sahara. Visit www.freesahara.ning.com