Morocco: Whether the Polisario Front is present in the Western Sahara particularly in Layoune and S'Mara; if so, type of presence, number and whether they are recruiting young Sahrawis; if so, whether it is forced recruitment
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 21 December 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MAR35686.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Morocco: Whether the Polisario Front is present in the Western Sahara particularly in Layoune and S'Mara; if so, type of presence, number and whether they are recruiting young Sahrawis; if so, whether it is forced recruitment, 21 December 2000, MAR35686.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be664.html [accessed 21 May 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. |
No information on whether the Polisario Front is present in the Western Sahara particularly in Layoune and S'Mara, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
However, Sahara Press Service (SPS) reported on 12 October 2000 that a Sahrawi who had tried to join up with the Polisario Front from Western Sahara on 27 September 2000 was sentenced to four years in prison. More than twenty young people tried reportedly to [translation] "escape the occupation" (ibid.). Twelve of them are now in prison and the Moroccan security forces are actively looking for the others (ibid.).
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
Sahara Press Service (SPS). 12 October 2000. "Territoires occupés: quatre ans de prison ferme pour un sahraoui qui tentait de rejoindre le Front polisario."
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
LEXIS/NEXIS
Unsuccessful attempt to reach one source
Human Rights report 2001
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
FIDH
Delegation of the Polisario Front in Spain
Association des juristes pour le Sahara
Afapredesa
Maratón del Sáhara
Association de soutien à un référendum libre et régulier au Sahara occidental (ARSO)
Morocco page
Marocnet.net.com
Morocco Web
Arabia.com
Marrakesh Express
Harvard's Center for Middle Eastern Studies: Links
Commentaires sur la presse marocaine
Islamic World
Search Engines including:
Metacrawler
