Morocco Accused of Torturing Sahrawi Activist to Death; Family Calls for Inquiry
Reports have emerged that Moroccan authorities tortured a Sahrawi activist to death in a prison in occupied Laayoune, Western Sahara. Media sources, citing statements from the victim’s family, stated that the relatives of Omar Bahia Abdelmajid are demanding a full investigation and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
In a social media post, Abdelmajid’s family asserted, “Omar Bahia Abdelmajid was killed by Moroccan occupation authorities through torture after being detained without any formal charges.”
The family expressed frustration, stating that “the only accusation Moroccan authorities bring against a Sahrawi citizen is their identity, marking them as targets.” They also emphasized, “Moroccan citizens must recognize that the state is killing unarmed Sahrawi civilians through torture and shootings.”
Additionally, the family highlighted that “Sahrawis are on their own land and have not entered Moroccan cities like Kenitra or Meknes to make demands.” They insisted that international laws guarantee their right to resist and defend themselves.
In a video shared on social media, Abdelmajid’s family held Moroccan authorities fully responsible for his death. They called for a transparent investigation to disclose the autopsy results and bring those responsible for his death to justice.
Spanish news site El Independiente covered the story, with journalist Francisco Carrión providing details of the incident. Sources close to Abdelmajid’s family said the 57-year-old activist had long opposed the Moroccan occupation and recently protested outside a police station in Laayoune, chanting for Sahrawi independence and supporting the Polisario Front.
Witnesses reported that during Morocco’s recent “Green March” celebrations—a commemoration of the country’s 1976 annexation of Western Sahara—Abdelmajid had an altercation that led to his detention in central Laayoune. Witnesses claim he was beaten and taken to the “security prefecture” for questioning, later appearing before a judge and prosecutor before being transferred to Lakhal Prison in Laayoune.
According to the family, contact was lost with Abdelmajid after his transfer. On Wednesday, his sister visited the prison, bringing money and clothing for him. She was eventually informed that he had been taken to the hospital, where he was declared dead. His body was subsequently sent to the hospital morgue.
El Independiente reported that the hospital confirmed Abdelmajid’s death upon arrival, but no official death certificate accompanied his transfer to the morgue. His family accuses Moroccan authorities of subjecting him to fatal torture.
In his report, Carrión referenced Amnesty International’s annual report from April, which warned of increasing repression in Western Sahara. Amnesty documented cases of police violence, arbitrary detention, and torture by Moroccan authorities in the occupied territories, noting an alarming escalation over the past year.
