Familes of disappeared stage sit-in in front of Province of El-Ayoune
El-Ayoune, Western Sahara
9 April 2007*
The families of the 15 Sahrawis — who disappeared while attempting
to emigrate to the Canary Islands — organized today, Monday 9. April
2007, a sit-in in front of the Wilaya (Provincial Authority) of El-Ayoune
to know the fate of their children. The families decided to maintain their
sit-in until the Wilaya opens its doors to them.
The 15 young Sahrawi have been reported disappeared since 25 December 2006
during an attempt of emigration towards the Canary Islands. Their families,
having previously constituted a committee, have organized several sit-ins
which had been savagely repressed. They have also had meetings with Moroccan
authorities. On several occasions, the families have received promises from
authorities that the fate of their children would be revealed, but without
any follow through.
The families of these 15 young disappeared Sahrawi believe that the Moroccan
authorities have maintained their children in detention since their attempt
to migrate. The families claim to have evidence and witnesses that their
children are still alive except one, who died under unknown circumstances.
In recent times, a great number of young Sahrawis have left the territory
in the hope to emigrate towards the Canary Islands. Their fates are always
dramatic, given that tens have died on the sea journey. The repression suffered
by Sahrawi citizens and the encouragements of the Moroccan authorities are
behind this massive emigration of the Sahrawi youth.
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