Morocco: The activities of a group of Sahrawi students involved with the Western Sahara Movement at Hassan II University in Casablanca, including interventions by the security forces and whether there are any Berber members in this group (1997 to 2003)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 28 March 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MAR39840.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Morocco: The activities of a group of Sahrawi students involved with the Western Sahara Movement at Hassan II University in Casablanca, including interventions by the security forces and whether there are any Berber members in this group (1997 to 2003) , 28 March 2003, MAR39840.E , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4dc723.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In the Middle East and North Africa Regional Country Index of the 1998 Annual Report on Morocco and Western Sahara, Amnesty International reported the following:
At least three of nine Sahrawis reportedly arrested in connection with their alleged support for the independence of Western Sahara were said to have been tortured. ... For example, El Hayouni Ossama, who was arrested in January [1997] during a student protest at Hassan II University in Casablanca, was reportedly tortured for two days ... (1998).
In March 1999, the Western Sahara Referendum Support Association (Association de soutien à un referendum libre et régulier au Sahara occidental, ARSO) reported that Sahrawi student protests in Morocco continued, "[f]ollowing a meeting of Sahrawi students to mark the 23rd anniversary of the SADR [Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic], which degenerated into a confrontation with police" (14 Mar. 1999). At the same time, a "sit-in" took place at the Souissi I campus in Rabat, which was joined by "Sahrawi students from Casablanca, Marrakech and Agadir universities ... in solidarity" (ARSO 14 Mar. 1999).
Additional information on the activities of a group of Sahrawi students involved in the Western Sahara Movement at Hassan II University in Casablanca could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Information on whether the groups of Sahrawi students mentioned above included any Berber members could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Amnesty International (AI). 1998. 1998 Annual Report on Morocco and Western Sahara. Association de soutien à un referendum libre et régulier au Sahara occidental (ARSO). 14 March 1999."Western Sahara: Sahara Weekly News Update." (Africa News/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
World News Connection
Internet sites, including:
Africa Online
Al Bawaba
BBC
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (1999-2001)
Human Rights Watch
Pan African News Agency
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
United Kingdom, Immigration and Nationality Directorate
World Immigration and Deportation
World News
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