Equipe Media – Madrid
July 21, 2023
Equipe Media, a collective of Sahrawi journalists based in the occupied city of El Aaiún, has launched a campaign to release Sahrawi political prisoners held by the Moroccan occupying authorities. The campaign aims to shed light on the injustices faced by these prisoners and advocate for their release. As part of this campaign, Equipe Media will begin by sharing the story of Mohamed Al Ayoubi, who tragically passed away in 2017 without ever seeing justice served, while the perpetrators of his mistreatment continue to enjoy impunity.
The prisoners in question, all members of the Gdeim Izik group, were unjustly arrested in 2010 for participating in peaceful protests against the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara. Since then, they have endured over 12 years of imprisonment, during which many have been subjected to torture and various forms of ill-treatment.
Equipe Media’s campaign also seeks to highlight the immense suffering of the prisoners’ families, who have had to endure arduous journeys of more than 1,200 kilometers to visit their loved ones in prison. Heartbreakingly, some parents have passed away without ever witnessing the release of their imprisoned sons, leaving them without the comfort of seeing justice served for their loved ones.
Equipe Media’s president expressed the profound importance of the campaign, stating, “Keeping these innocent prisoners behind bars is not only a grave injustice, but also a stain on the conscience of the international community. We urge all individuals, organizations, and governments who believe in justice and human rights to stand with us in demanding the immediate release of the Sahrawi political prisoners.”
The campaign will be launched on various social media platforms and through Equipe Media’s website. Furthermore, the organization will actively call on international bodies, governments, and individuals to send letters and emails to the Moroccan authorities, urging them to release the prisoners and end this long-standing injustice.
Mohamed Al Ayoubi’s tragic story will serve as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to seek justice for all the Sahrawi political prisoners and put an end to the impunity enjoyed by those responsible for their suffering. Equipe Media is committed to using the power of journalism and media advocacy to bring attention to this crucial issue and mobilize support for the release of these prisoners and the realization of their right to justice and self-determination.
