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{{Sahara conflict}} {{Sahara conflict}}
'''The Independence Intifada''' (''intifada'' is ] for "uprising") is a ] name for the disturbances, demonstrations and riots that broke out in May ] in the ]-held ] of ]. This event has also been called "The El-Aaiun Intifada". The Moroccan government terms these events simply disturbances or troubles. It has accused the ] of instigating unrest, and ] mislabeling it an "intifada". '''The Independence Intifada''' (''intifada'' is ] for "uprising") is a Saharawi Polisario activist coinage for a series of disturbances, demonstrations and riots that broke out in May ] in the ]-held ] of ]. This event has also been called "The El-Aaiun Intifada" by the same sources. International coverage of the disturbances has been limited and Moroccan official sources have downplayed the events.


==Background== ==Background==
:''main article, ].'' :''main article, ].''


], formerly ], was forcibly annexed by ] in 1975, as ] pulled out. A war with the indigenous ], representing the ] ] population, and backed by ], ensued. In 1991 a ] was agreed upon, on the condition of a ] on ] (including the options of ] as the ] or integration as Morocco's ]). This has since been the Polisario's main demand, but no referendum has taken place. The cease-fire holds, but tension remains high. The area is divided between Morocco and Polisario forces by the ] and patrolled by the ]'s ] mission. ], formerly ], was annexed by ] in 1975, as ] pulled out. A war with the ], which claimed to represent the ] ] population, and was backed by neighboring ], ensued. In 1991 a ] was agreed upon, on the condition of a ] on ] (including the options of ] or integration into Morocco). Since 1991 the terms of a referendum have been subject to years of dispute between the parties, although the cease-fire continues to hold although tensions remain. Morocco controls the majority of the territory, with Polisario forces controlling a rump. A UN mission ] mission patrols the demarcation line.

<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: ] standing in line in ], May 2005]] --> <!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: ] standing in line in ], May 2005]] -->
Sahrawi political activity in the Moroccan-controlled parts of Western Sahara remains severely repressed, and police crackdowns and ]s has been a frequent response to civil protest. {{ref|amnesty2004}} The political climate gradually relaxed in the 1990s, after the cease-fire, and following considerable liberalization in Morocco proper, and this resulted in more frequent protests, with the Sahrawi sides declaring minor "intifadas" in 1999 and 2000, as dozens of demonstrators were rounded up and arrested during unrest in the region. {{ref|amnesty1999}} {{ref|state2001}} Sahrawi political activity in the Moroccan-controlled parts of Western Sahara remains severely restricted, and police crackdowns and ]s were a frequent response to civil protest. {{ref|amnesty2004}} The political climate gradually relaxed in the 1990s, after the cease-fire, and following considerable liberalization in Morocco proper. Since political liberalisation, intermittant protests have broken out and pro-Polisario groups have declaring minor "intifadas" in 1999 and 2000, often resulting in dozens of demonstrators being arrested. {{ref|amnesty1999}} {{ref|state2001}}


==Demonstrations and arrests== ==Demonstrations and arrests==


Demonstrations began in May 2005 in ], after relatives protesting the transfer of a Sahrawi prisoner to Morocco were dipersed by police, and escalated into major demonstrations within a matter of days. It then spread to other Sahrawi cities such as ] and ], and also into Sahrawi-populated parts of southern Morocco, notably the towns of ] and ]. Sahrawi students rioted in the universities of ] and ]. Police and army units were brought in from Morocco to quell the uprising, and although demonstrations subsided, several protests a month are still held in November 2005. On October 30, 2005, a first casualty was reported: 31-year old Lembarki Hamdi died after what human rights organizations claimed was police brutality, although the Moroccan government attributed his death to an accident. {{ref|reuters2005}} {{ref|amnesty2005}} Another Sahrawi, Lekhlifa Abba Cheikh, was killed by police in Tan-Tan in early December, but it is not clear that this was related to political protest. Demonstrations began in May 2005 in ], after relatives protesting the transfer of a Sahrawi prisoner accused of drug dealing and insulting the Moroccan monarchy to a prison in Agadir were violently dispersed by police, provoking further demonstrations over the next several days. Protests spread by end May to other towns in the Western Sahara, such as ] and ], and were accompanied by Sahrawi student demonstrations living in Moroccan cities such as ], ], ], ] and ]. Moroccan public security units quelled the disturbances, although some subsequent pro-independence demonstrations have subsequently flaired up, most recently reported in November 2005. On October 30, 2005, a first fatality was record when 31-year old Lembarki Hamdi died after what human rights organizations claimed was police brutality during his arrest, although Moroccan authorities attributed his death to an accident. {{ref|reuters2005}} {{ref|amnesty2005}}


Hundreds of Sahrawi protestors have been arrested, and approximately thirty demonstrators and well-known Sahrawi human rights-activists have been imprisoned after summary trials {{ref|arso2005}}. Among them are the former political prisoner ] (who did not parttake in any demonstrations, but was arrested when returning from abroad), human rights-activist ], and ], a former ]. There is an international campaign for her release which has been signed by 178 members of the ], and she has been nominated as a candidate for the ]. {{ref|arso2005a}} {{ref|arso2005b}} A 50-day hunger strike of all the arrested Sahrawis put the health of several at risk, and the action was aborted. Over a hundred pro-Polisario Sahrawi protestors were reported arrested by Moroccan authorities by international human rights, and approximately thirty demonstrators and well-known Sahrawi human rights-activists have been imprisoned after summary trials {{ref|arso2005}}. Among them are the former political prisoner ] (who did not parttake in any demonstrations, but was arrested when returning from abroad), human rights-activist ], and ], a former ]. There is an international campaign for her release which has been signed by 178 members of the ], and she has been nominated as a candidate for the ]. {{ref|arso2005a}} {{ref|arso2005b}} A 50-day hunger strike of all the arrested Sahrawis put the health of several at risk, and the action was aborted.
]s in ]]] ]s in ]]]


On ], ], 14 pro-independence Sahrawis and human-rights activists, including the activists mentioned above and most of the remaining Sahrawi political leadership, were sentenced to between 6 months and 3 years in prison by an El-Aaiún court, on charges of disturbing public order, membership of illegal associations, incitement to unrest, damaging public property and rioting {{ref|reuters2005a}}. They denied the charges of using violence. Both ] and ] had expressed serious concern over the trials, pointing to reports of torture and previous abuse of some of the prisoners {{ref|amnesty2005}} {{ref|hrw2005}}. On ], ], 14 pro-independence Sahrawis and human-rights activists, including the activists mentioned above and most of the remaining pro-Polisario Sahrawi political leadership, were sentenced to between 6 months and 3 years in prison by an El-Aaiún court, on charges of disturbing public order, membership of illegal associations, incitement to unrest, damaging public property and rioting {{ref|reuters2005a}}. They denied the charges of using violence. Both ] and ] had expressed serious concern over the trials, pointing to reports of torture and previous abuse of some of the prisoners {{ref|amnesty2005}} {{ref|hrw2005}}.


== International Reactions == == International Reactions ==
Several international ]-organizations have shown interest in alleged Moroccan abuse of Sahrawi demonstrators. ] has demanded an investigation into reports of torture of prisoners. It calls for fair trials, and the release of political prisoners {{ref|amnesty2005}}. This has been echoed by ] and others {{ref|hrw2005}}. Several international ]-organizations have shown interest in alleged Moroccan abuse of Sahrawi demonstrators. ] has demanded an investigation into reports of torture of prisoners and called for fair trials, and the release of political prisoners {{ref|amnesty2005}}. This has been echoed by ] and others {{ref|hrw2005}}.


Morocco has attempted to limit access to the territory. Investigative missions from ] countries have been denied access to the territory, including several high-ranking parliamentary delegations and foreign ambassadors to Morocco. Several foreign journalists, mainly from European countries, but also ] correspondents, have been expelled after interviewing protestors, and others have been prevented from visiting it. In November 2005, Moroccan authorities shut down a number of pro-independence or pro-Polisario ] sites. This was condemned by ] as an example of ]. {{ref|rsf2005}} Morocco has limited journalists' and diplomatic access to the territory. Investigative missions from ] countries have been denied access to the territory, including several high-ranking parliamentary delegations and foreign ambassadors to Morocco. Several foreign journalists, mainly European, but also ] correspondents, were expelled after interviewing protestors, and others have been prevented from visiting it. In November 2005, Moroccan authorities shut down a number of pro-independence or pro-Polisario ] sites. This was condemned by ] as an example of ]. {{ref|rsf2005}}


The ] voted 98 in favor, 1 abstention and 0 votes against an October 2005 resolution that "deplored" expulsions of journalists covering the uprising and demanded the "immediate release" of political prisoners {{ref|europarl2005}}.


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 05:29, 28 February 2006

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Note: This article is about Western Sahara. For "Intifada of Independence" in Lebanon, see "Cedar Revolution".
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Western Sahara conflict
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The Independence Intifada (intifada is Arabic for "uprising") is a Saharawi Polisario activist coinage for a series of disturbances, demonstrations and riots that broke out in May 2005 in the Moroccan-held parts of Western Sahara. This event has also been called "The El-Aaiun Intifada" by the same sources. International coverage of the disturbances has been limited and Moroccan official sources have downplayed the events.

Background

main article, History of Western Sahara.

Western Sahara, formerly Spanish Sahara, was annexed by Morocco in 1975, as Spain pulled out. A war with the Polisario Front, which claimed to represent the indigenous Sahrawi population, and was backed by neighboring Algeria, ensued. In 1991 a cease-fire was agreed upon, on the condition of a referendum on self-determination (including the options of independence or integration into Morocco). Since 1991 the terms of a referendum have been subject to years of dispute between the parties, although the cease-fire continues to hold although tensions remain. Morocco controls the majority of the territory, with Polisario forces controlling a rump. A UN mission Minurso mission patrols the demarcation line.

Sahrawi political activity in the Moroccan-controlled parts of Western Sahara remains severely restricted, and police crackdowns and forced disappeareances were a frequent response to civil protest. The political climate gradually relaxed in the 1990s, after the cease-fire, and following considerable liberalization in Morocco proper. Since political liberalisation, intermittant protests have broken out and pro-Polisario groups have declaring minor "intifadas" in 1999 and 2000, often resulting in dozens of demonstrators being arrested.

Demonstrations and arrests

Demonstrations began in May 2005 in El Aaiún, after relatives protesting the transfer of a Sahrawi prisoner accused of drug dealing and insulting the Moroccan monarchy to a prison in Agadir were violently dispersed by police, provoking further demonstrations over the next several days. Protests spread by end May to other towns in the Western Sahara, such as Smara and Dakhla, and were accompanied by Sahrawi student demonstrations living in Moroccan cities such as Agadir, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech and Rabat. Moroccan public security units quelled the disturbances, although some subsequent pro-independence demonstrations have subsequently flaired up, most recently reported in November 2005. On October 30, 2005, a first fatality was record when 31-year old Lembarki Hamdi died after what human rights organizations claimed was police brutality during his arrest, although Moroccan authorities attributed his death to an accident.

Over a hundred pro-Polisario Sahrawi protestors were reported arrested by Moroccan authorities by international human rights, and approximately thirty demonstrators and well-known Sahrawi human rights-activists have been imprisoned after summary trials . Among them are the former political prisoner Ali Salem Tamek (who did not parttake in any demonstrations, but was arrested when returning from abroad), human rights-activist Mohamed Elmoutaoikil, and Aminatou Haidar, a former disappeared. There is an international campaign for her release which has been signed by 178 members of the European Parliament, and she has been nominated as a candidate for the Sakharov Prize. A 50-day hunger strike of all the arrested Sahrawis put the health of several at risk, and the action was aborted.

File:Elaaiundemo3.jpg
Running demonstrators in El-Aaiun

On December 14, 2005, 14 pro-independence Sahrawis and human-rights activists, including the activists mentioned above and most of the remaining pro-Polisario Sahrawi political leadership, were sentenced to between 6 months and 3 years in prison by an El-Aaiún court, on charges of disturbing public order, membership of illegal associations, incitement to unrest, damaging public property and rioting . They denied the charges of using violence. Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch had expressed serious concern over the trials, pointing to reports of torture and previous abuse of some of the prisoners .

International Reactions

Several international human rights-organizations have shown interest in alleged Moroccan abuse of Sahrawi demonstrators. Amnesty International has demanded an investigation into reports of torture of prisoners and called for fair trials, and the release of political prisoners . This has been echoed by Human Rights Watch and others .

Morocco has limited journalists' and diplomatic access to the territory. Investigative missions from European countries have been denied access to the territory, including several high-ranking parliamentary delegations and foreign ambassadors to Morocco. Several foreign journalists, mainly European, but also al Jazeera correspondents, were expelled after interviewing protestors, and others have been prevented from visiting it. In November 2005, Moroccan authorities shut down a number of pro-independence or pro-Polisario Internet sites. This was condemned by Reporters Without Borders as an example of internet censorship.


References

  1. Amnesty International - REPORT 1999: MOROCCO AND WESTERN SAHARA
  2. Amnesty International - Morocco / Western Sahara - Covering events from January - December 2003
  3. U.S. Department of State - Western Sahara - 2001 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
  4. Reuters - Policemen held after W. Sahara youth's death
  5. Amnesty International - Morocco / Western Sahara - Sahrawi human rights defenders under attack
  6. Western Sahara Human Rights - LISTE des PRISONNIERS et CONDAMNES au cours de l'INTIFADA 2005 (in French)
  7. Western Sahara Human Rights - FREE AMINATOU HAIDAR
  8. Western Sahara Human Rights - Members of the European Parlament who support the International Campaign for the liberation of AMINATOU HAIDAR and of all Saharawi political prisoners
  9. Reuters - Morocco jails Western Sahara activists over riots
  10. Human Rights Watch - Morocco/Western Sahara: Activists Need Fair Trial
  11. Reporters without borders - Morocco puts US censorship busting site Anonymizer.com on its black list
  12. European Parliament resolution on human rights in Western Sahara

See also

External links

Human rights reports

Pictures and video

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