ISACOM Demands International Intervention for Naâma Asfari
On June 7, 2026, the Sahrawi Organ Against the Moroccan Occupation (ISACOM) issued a pressing appeal for urgent action from the United Nations and the global community to safeguard the rights and well-being of Sahrawi political prisoner Naâma Asfari, who has now entered the second month of an indefinite hunger strike while imprisoned in Morocco. The organization, based in Occupied El Aaiún, holds the Moroccan authorities fully accountable for Asfari's physical and mental health, accusing them of ignoring his legitimate demands and perpetuating retaliatory policies against Sahrawi civilians.
ISACOM emphasized that Asfari's hunger strike is a direct response to the Moroccan authorities' disregard for international human rights guidelines regarding his case. The organization is calling upon the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, and other influential international entities to act swiftly to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure compliance with human rights obligations, warning that Asfari's deteriorating health necessitates immediate global attention.
ISACOM's Strong Condemnation of Moroccan Policies
In its statement, ISACOM condemned Morocco's ongoing practices of collective punishment and individual retaliation against Sahrawi political prisoners, characterizing these actions as blatant violations of international humanitarian standards. The organization highlighted the arbitrary imprisonment of Naâma Asfari, who has been detained since 2010 following what they describe as an unlawful military trial that contravened his fundamental rights.
ISACOM pointed out that several UN human rights mechanisms have already addressed Asfari's situation. Notably, the UN Committee Against Torture has determined that he was subjected to torture, while the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has declared his imprisonment as arbitrary and has called for his immediate release. The organization's statement underscores that Morocco's ongoing refusal to acknowledge these findings constitutes a serious violation of the international human rights framework.
In addressing the United Nations, ISACOM reminded both the Security Council and the Secretary-General of their legal and ethical obligations towards Sahrawi civilians enduring occupation. They called for the implementation of recommendations from UN human rights bodies and urged intensified actions to alleviate the suffering of Sahrawi political prisoners, viewing this as a crucial step towards peace and a fair resolution to the Western Sahara conflict.
ISACOM also criticized the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for not fulfilling its humanitarian responsibilities towards Sahrawi civilian prisoners. They urged the ICRC to conduct immediate visits to assess the health conditions of detainees and to ensure the protection of their fundamental humanitarian rights, emphasizing the necessity for effective international humanitarian oversight.
In conclusion, ISACOM commended the advocacy efforts of Front Line Defenders, recognizing it as one of the first international organizations to bring attention to Naâma Asfari's plight. The organization urged international human rights groups and civil society to amplify their solidarity campaigns and to exert pressure on the Moroccan authorities to address Asfari's humanitarian and legal needs. ISACOM reaffirmed that the resilience demonstrated by Sahrawi political prisoners, epitomized by Naâma Asfari, embodies the universal principles of justice, freedom, and human dignity, warning that the current strategy of starvation and neglect employed by the Moroccan occupation authorities could lead to a slow death sentence, necessitating immediate international intervention before it is too late.
As reported by spsrasd.info.
