Adala UK Condemns Morocco’s Expulsion of International Observers from Occupied Western Sahara
LONDON – The UK-based human rights organization Adala UK has issued a strong condemnation following the latest expulsion of international observers from Western Sahara by Moroccan occupation authorities. The group warned that the move is part of a broader campaign aimed at silencing independent voices and blocking global access to the occupied territory.
On Tuesday, Moroccan forces detained and expelled three individuals—two Spanish journalists and a human rights activist—who had entered Western Sahara to document alleged human rights abuses against the Sahrawi population. According to Adala UK, this brings the total number of international observers forcibly removed from the region to over 330.
Those expelled were identified as Leonor Suárez, a journalist from Asturias; Óscar Allende, director of the independent media outlet El Faradio; and Raúl Conde, member of the solidarity group Cantabria por el Sáhara. They were intercepted at a checkpoint near El Aaiún and forcibly transported by four unmarked police vehicles to Agadir. Moroccan officers reportedly labeled them “personas non gratas” without providing any legal justification.
Sidi Ahmed Lyadasi, President of Adala UK, denounced the expulsions as a violation of fundamental rights. “Morocco wants the world to remain blind to the situation in Western Sahara,” he said. “By expelling journalists and human rights defenders, they are attempting to isolate the Sahrawi people from international solidarity and scrutiny.”
Adala UK asserts that the expulsions violate key provisions of international law, including Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to receive and impart information. As a State Party to the ICCPR, Morocco is legally obligated to respect these rights—even in territories under its occupation. The organization further pointed to Morocco’s responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which requires occupying powers to protect civilians and allow independent human rights monitoring.
Adala UK is calling for immediate international action. The organization urged the British government to publicly condemn the expulsions and demanded that Morocco comply with its international obligations. It also called on the European Union and Spain to pressure Rabat to allow unrestricted access to Western Sahara for journalists and human rights monitors. Additionally, Adala UK pressed the United Nations to extend a formal human rights monitoring mandate to MINURSO, the UN mission in the territory.
“The international community must not stay silent while Morocco silences the truth,” the statement concluded. “Urgent action is needed to protect human rights, uphold international law, and support the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.”
