“What I was subjected to cannot be separated from Morocco’s policy aimed at silencing Sahrawi voices demanding the right to self-determination” (human rights activist)

Madrid (Spain), 26 January 2026 (SPS) – Sahrawi human rights activist Aminatou Haidar stated that what she was subjected to at Dakhla airport in the occupied territories, and later at El Aaiun airport in the occupied territories, cannot be separated from Morocco’s policy aimed at silencing Sahrawi voices calling for the right to self-determination.

She affirmed that attempts to subject her to degrading searches constituted a clear form of serious violation of human dignity.

She added that preventing her from traveling on flimsy pretexts, despite her possession of all legal documents, once again exposes the falsity of the official Moroccan discourse that claims respect for human rights, while repressive practices against Sahrawis continue—especially against defenders of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The Sahrawi activist further noted that allowing her to travel at a later stage was not the result of any legal commitment by the Moroccan occupation authorities, but rather came under mounting international pressure after her case became the subject of widespread condemnation by human rights organizations and political and media figures around the world.