South African Rights Centre Calls on ACHPR to Investigate Moroccan Violations in Western Sahara
The Representative of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, human rights lawyer Chanelle Van Der Linde, has called for an investigation into Moroccan human rights violations in the occupied territories of Western Sahara. Her remarks were made during the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), in response to the report presented by the Commission’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
Van Der Linde backed the appeal by the Sahrawi Republic, urging the ACHPR to intervene in the face of a worsening human rights situation in the occupied territories. She also called for the resumption of the Commission’s fact-finding mission, which has been blocked by Moroccan occupation forces since 2013. The Centre for Human Rights, known globally for its work in advancing rights and freedoms across Africa, reiterated its support for Sahrawi self-determination and the need to hold Morocco accountable for alleged violations.
The Sahrawi Republic is taking part in the ACHPR session through its Deputy Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ambassador Malainin Lakhal. The open session, being held in Arusha, Tanzania, runs from May 2 to May 12, and brings together African governments, civil society, and legal experts to address ongoing human rights concerns across the continent.
