Intensified Repression Against CODESA Members
The Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA), an independent organization advocating for human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, has recently faced an alarming resurgence of oppressive measures. As a member of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) network, CODESA has seen its operations severely hindered by renewed restrictions on movement, surveillance, intimidation, and electricity cuts. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) along with OMCT, through the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, have condemned the Moroccan authorities for their ongoing targeting of key CODESA figures—including President Ali Salem Tamek, Vice-President Khadijetou Douih, and several other members—who are facing retaliation for their legitimate human rights advocacy. The Observatory has urgently called upon Moroccan authorities to cease these reprisals, which are part of a systematic pattern of repression against Sahrawi human rights defenders in the region.
Pattern of Intimidation and Harassment
Recent incidents reported by the Observatory reveal a troubling escalation in harassment methods employed against CODESA members. On May 20, 2026, Moroccan police significantly intensified their surveillance around Ali Salem Tamek's residence in the Al Mostaqbal neighborhood of Laayoune, placing his home under a de facto siege. This pattern of harassment has extended to other CODESA members, including El Maalouma Falankhi and Khadijatou Douih, who have also been subjected to physical restrictions and intimidation. Additionally, there have been deliberate electricity cuts to the homes of several members, which further exacerbates their precarious situation and undermines their ability to operate effectively.
Moreover, civil society activists have faced Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) aimed at silencing their human rights endeavors. For example, on June 8, 2026, CODESA member Essalek Baber, alongside two Sahrawi students, received sentences of six months’ imprisonment and fines for participating in a welcoming ceremony for a political prisoner. Such legal actions highlight the lengths to which the authorities are willing to go to suppress dissent and silence advocates for Sahrawi rights.
The Observatory has documented numerous instances of threats and verbal provocation directed at CODESA members, including alarming incidents involving children of activists, which raise serious concerns about the psychological and physical integrity of these minors. The ongoing harassment of Khadijatou Douih and the reported mistreatment of others reflect a broader trend of intimidation tactics being employed against those who dare to advocate for human rights in the region.
These actions not only violate international human rights laws but also undermine the fundamental rights of individuals to freely express their opinions and associate peacefully. The United Nations has previously expressed concern over these violations and has called upon Morocco to ensure that human rights defenders can operate without fear of retaliation. The Observatory reiterates its call for the immediate cessation of all forms of intimidation and harassment against CODESA members and urges the Moroccan authorities to conduct thorough investigations into the reported violations, ensuring accountability for those responsible.
As reported by fidh.org.
