Health Sahrawi political prisoners on hunger strike deteriorating
The hunger strike started by the political prisoners on the 18th of March 2010, is now in its 15th day. This has gravely impacted their medical situation, which was poor to begin with, and provides serious reason for concern. They're now entering in a dangerous phase, which will affect their health even more and could possibly threaten their physical well being and their lives.
The hunger strike started by the political prisoners on the 18th of March 2010, is now in its 15th day. This has gravely impacted their medical situation, which was poor to begin with, and provides serious reason for concern. They're now entering in a dangerous phase, which will affect their health even more and could possibly threaten their physical well being and their lives.
We have noted the following complications in their health situation:
- Ali Salem Tamek: suffering difficulty of breathing, acute asthma which needed medical attention last night, has vomited several times and he can't move or walk. - Brahim Dahane: suffering severe stomach aches, lost consciousness last night at 3 AM which required immediate medical assistance, paralyses of his left hand.
- Ahmed Nasiri: suffering cardiac pain, heart palpitations up to 82/min, high blood pressure of 9/11, moreover loss of mobility.
- Yahdih Ettarrouzi: suffering both cardiac and intestinal pains.
- Rachid Sghayar: suffering painful joints and low blood pressure of 7/11.
These five activists are part of the so-called 'Casablanca 7', a group of seven Sahrawi human rights activists who were arrested on 8 October 2009 at Casablanca airport upon their arrival from a two-week visit to the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, southwest Algeria. In a dangerous precedent, these 7 known human rights defenders were referred to a military court. They are currently imprisoned, deprived of their basic rights, awaiting their trial for which no date has been set yet.
Africa's last colonySince 1975, three quarters of the Western Sahara territory has been illegally occupied by Morocco. The original population lives divided between those suffering human rights abuses under the Moroccan occupation and those living in exile in Algerian refugee camps. For more than 40 years, the Saharawi await the fulfilment of their legitimate right to self-determination.
Since 1975, three quarters of the Western Sahara territory has been illegally occupied by Morocco. The original population lives divided between those suffering human rights abuses under the Moroccan occupation and those living in exile in Algerian refugee camps. For more than 40 years, the Saharawi await the fulfilment of their legitimate right to self-determination.
