The demand was conveyed to the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Margaret Sekaggya, in Geneva, Switzerland, by the President of WABA, Mr. Femi Falana.
''I am writing to draw your attention to the unlawful arrest and unjustified trial of seven Saharawi human rights activists and to request you to use your mandate and good offices to urgently intervene to stop further attacks, harassment and unlawful trial of prominent human rights defenders; and to ensure full respect for their internationally recognized human rights to freedom of movement, association, speech and life; and their release,'' Mr. Falana wrote in a letter, a copy of which was obtained by PANA here Monday.
According to WABA, following their abduction - at the Casablanca airport 8 Oct., 2009 by the Moroccan government - seven Saharawi human rights activists were charged 16 Oct. with treasonable felony, for visiting the Saharawi refugee camps in Algeria, an act which Morocco considers treasonable and for which the activists have been hauled before a military court where the death sentence is being demanded.
It said the seven on trial include Ali Salem Tamek, Vice president of Collective of Saharawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA) who had been adopted by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience; Brahim Dahane, president of the Saharawi Association of Victims of Serious Violations Committee by Morocco (ASVDH) who was abducted in the 1980s by Morocco and released in 1991; a lady, Dakja Lashgar who is on the ASVDH executive and Yahdih Ettarroui.
Others are Saleh Lebayhi, president of the Forum for Protection of Sahrawi Children; Rachid Sghayar from the Committee of Action Against Torture and Ahmed Anasari, General Secretary of the Saharawi Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.
''We are seriously concerned about the safety and well-being of these human rights defenders and believe that their unlawful arrest and trial are a reprisal for their human rights activities,'' WABA said.
Lagos - Pana 30/11/2009
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