Morocco doesn’t want witnesses
The recent expulsion of two Norwegian activists, Ingeborg Sævik Heltne and Vivian Kaulen Nedenes, from occupied Western Sahara underscores the escalating crackdown by Moroccan authorities on international solidarity with the Sahrawi people. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who dare to speak out against Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara.
Since 2002, a diverse coalition of individuals from 28 countries across five continents has journeyed to Western Sahara to witness firsthand the realities of life under Moroccan occupation. This international community, comprised of human rights defenders, journalists, legal experts, and concerned citizens, has been drawn to the region by the Sahrawi people’s peaceful resistance against colonial oppression. Their visits have provided invaluable insights into the human rights situation in Western Sahara and have helped to raise global awareness of the Sahrawi cause.
In response to the growing international attention, Morocco has intensified its efforts to suppress dissent and control the narrative surrounding Western Sahara. Over the past decade, Moroccan authorities have systematically targeted foreign observers, expelling hundreds of individuals who have traveled to the territory to document human rights abuses and support the Sahrawi people.
Since 2014 alone, 298 individuals from 21 countries have been forcibly expelled from Western Sahara, with Norway (131) and Spain (105) bearing the brunt of these expulsions. These figures highlight the extent to which Morocco is willing to go to silence critical voices and prevent the international community from understanding the true situation on the ground.
Furthermore, Morocco has imposed a ban on several international NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Lawyers Without Borders, further limiting independent monitoring and reporting on human rights abuses in Western Sahara.
Despite facing increasing repression, the Sahrawi people have remained steadfast in their pursuit of self-determination. Their resilience, coupled with the unwavering support of the international community, has helped to keep the issue of Western Sahara on the global agenda.