Serious Health Concerns for Sahrawi Political Prisoner
On July 9, 2026, the National Council expressed profound concern regarding the alarming decline in the health of Naama Asfari, a Sahrawi civilian prisoner currently enduring an indefinite hunger strike. This act of protest is a response to his ongoing arbitrary detention and the severe, systematic violations faced not only by him but also by numerous fellow Sahrawi political prisoners. The Council's statement highlighted that these abuses constitute a blatant infringement on their fundamental rights as recognized by international legal standards.
In its declaration, the Council placed full accountability on the Moroccan occupation authorities for any further deterioration in the health of Naama Asfari or any of the other prisoners who are currently engaging in hunger strikes. The body has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Asfari and all Sahrawi political prisoners, with particular emphasis on the detainees of the Gdeim Izik Group. Furthermore, the Council urged the implementation of pertinent United Nations resolutions and recommendations, insisting that international law and humanitarian law obligations be respected without exception.
Appeal for Humanitarian Intervention
The National Council also demanded the provision of immediate, independent medical care for Naama Asfari, alongside a cessation of solitary confinement and any forms of ill-treatment that prisoners endure. It called for access for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), United Nations special procedures, and various international human rights organizations to visit Sahrawi political prisoners, allowing them to assess the conditions within Moroccan prisons comprehensively.
In a poignant conclusion, the National Council appealed to multiple international bodies including the United Nations, the UN Security Council, the African Union, the European Union, and various human rights organizations to take urgent action to safeguard Naama Asfari's life and to apply pressure on Moroccan authorities to free all Sahrawi political prisoners. The Council emphasized that the ongoing silence from the international community concerning these violations only fosters an environment of impunity and erodes the credibility of the global human rights framework.
Reaffirming their unwavering support for Naama Asfari and all Sahrawi political prisoners and their families, the National Council underscored that their peaceful pursuit of freedom and dignity is an integral part of the Sahrawi people's rightful struggle for self-determination and independence in Western Sahara.
As reported by spsrasd.info.
