Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

10 August 2010

Front Line expresses its concern regarding the sentencing of three human rights defenders; Mr Ibrahim Beriaz, Mr Ali Salim Ablagh and Mr Saeed Al-Wa’ban. On 20 July 2010 the Court of Appeal in Marrakesh (sentenced the three defendants to two years in prison and a fine of 1000 Dirhams (approximately €90) each.

Further Information

Ibrahim Beriaz, Ali Salim Ablagh and Saeed Al-Wa’ban are members of the Saharawi Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Glaimim. They have filed an appeal against their sentences.

Ibrahim Beriaz and Ali Salim Ablagh were arrested on 13 December 2008 in Glaimim city and were first brought to trial on 9 March 2010. Saeed Al-Wa’ban was arrested in Samara city on 26 July 2009. His first court hearing took place on 22 April 2010 before his case was joined to that of Ibrahim Beriaz and Ali Salim Ablagh. All three human rights defenders are detained at Bulmaharez prison in Marrakech. Front Line previously issued an appeal on behalf of Ali Salim Ablagh on 10 April 2010, after his health deteriorated whilst on hunger strike in protest at his conditions of detention.

Ibrahim Beriaz, Ali Salim Ablagh and Saeed Al-Wa’ban were reportedly arrested and brought to trial because of their role campaigning for the human rights of the Sahrawi people, including the right to self determination. In particular this included their participation in peaceful protests. On 19 October 2007, Ibrahim Beriaz, Ali Salim Ablagh and a third university student staged a 48-hour hunger strike in front of the Local Government Headquarters of the State of Glaimim in protest against the authorities’ disciplinary decision to prevent them from completing their university studies. The three students and other supporters were subjected to physical assault by security forces, and as a result Ibrahim Beriaz lost consciousness and was transferred to the provincial hospital.

The decision to disqualify the students from continuing their studies was reportedly related to their previous activities in defence of human rights. In 2002 Ibrahim Beriaz and Ali Salim Ablagh participated in a human rights campaign visiting various universities in Morocco under the slogan: “Freedom and Hope for the Disappeared and the Detained”. During 2003/2004, the three defenders participated in demonstrations at Kadhi Ayyadh University in Marrakech in support of Sahrawi detainees and other victims of human rights violations. In 2005, they also attended a demonstration in Glaimim in support of 37 Sahrawi detainees who were on hunger strike. During 2006-2008, Saeed Al-Wa’ban attended student demonstrations in universities in Marrakech and Rabat.

Front Line believes that the conviction and sentencing of Ibrahim Beriaz, Ali Salim Ablagh and Saeed Al-Wa’ban is directly related to their work in the defence of human rights. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Ibrahim Beriaz, Ali Salim Ablagh and Saeed Al-Wa’ban.