Esta entrada también está disponible en: Español (Spanish) Português (Portuguese (Portugal))
PUSL.- 518 days have passed since the last sentencing of the Saharawi political prisoners known as Gdeim Izik Prisoners.
2963 days after the dismantling of the non-violent Gdeim Izik protest camp and the following detentions and abductions of Saharawi civilians.
The 19 detainees of the Gdeim Izik group are still subjected to ill-treatment, harassment and even torture after two trials (military trial in 2010 and Appeal court in 2016/2017).
Medical attention is denied to these prisoners, who suffer not only from the consequences of the brutal tortures they were submitted to but also from chronical diseases that were pre-existing or acquired after detention due to the conditions of detainment, like asthma, rheumatism, diabetes, amongst other.
The four prisoners detained in Tiflet2 prison continue to spend 22 hours or more in their individual cells, having no meaningful contact with other human beings. Mr. Abbahahs family reported that besides the fact that he continues to have only three thin blankets he is severely ill and has no medical attention. Mr. Bourials family reports his state of extreme anxiety and depression due to the lack of human interaction.
In Ait Melloul prison the Bani, Lemjeyid, Ismaili, and Lefkir have been given poisoned food several times. No medical attention is given to these prisoners. All of them suffer from chronical diseases and according to the families, their health status is worsening daily.
Mr. Abdel Jalil Laaroussi, whose health status is widely reported over the years by PUSL and by Amnesty International, continues to be a victim of medical neglect. He has no meaningful interaction with other human beings since 16th of September 2017 and his health status is alarming. The family reports extreme weight loss. His current weight vs. height put’s him in the underweight rate according to the World Health Organization figures and is an additional indicator of his serious health problems.
The lack of updated and regular information on most of the prisoners is due to the fact that they are limited to short phone calls with the families that are monitored by the guards which cut short calls whenever more detailed information is given.
Also, the family visits besides being short are not regular due to the long distances they have to travel and the time and expenses necessary to make the travel.
All of the Gdeim Izik prisoners continue to be in prisons in Morocco, hundred and thousands of Km’s away from their homeland and families.
Maitre Olfa Ouled, the French legal representative of the Gdeim Izik group continues to deploy all legal actions available.
The prisoners themselves have made several hunger strikes in protest against the situation without any results so far.
The Moroccan Kingdom seems to be oblivious of the fact that it is has ratified the Convention against torture and the optional protocol. The National Prevention Mechanism against torture, the CNDH (Moroccan National Council for Human Rights) does also seem to be non-existant when it comes to the Saharawi detainees.
For further information on the Gdeim Izik case consult the reports available on our website:
https://www.scribd.com/document/366418567/The-Gdeim-Izik-Case
https://www.scribd.com/document/371802677/Saharawi-Political-Prisoners-Impact-on-the-Families#