New York (United Nations), August 24, 2025 (SPS) – The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, in his annual report on Western Sahara presented during the 80th session of the General Assembly, revealed the continued restrictions on human rights in Western Sahara.
He confirmed that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has been unable to access the territory since 2015, despite repeated requests and visits mandated by UN Security Council resolutions, the latest being Resolution 2756 (2024) (Paragraph 23).
According to the report, this denial of independent monitoring represents a significant obstacle to assessing the true human rights situation in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.
The report indicated that Moroccan authorities suppress peaceful protests and pro-self-determination events, which has "particularly affected Sahrawi women human rights defenders, who lead associations and peaceful protests" (Paragraph 24).
The Human Rights Office also received reports of a shrinking civic space and increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The report added that the group of Gdeim Izik prisoners remains "dispersed in prisons outside Western Sahara" and lives in conditions "characterized by isolation, limited family contact, and restricted access to medical services" (Paragraph 26).
It also noted "at least one death in custody" and reports of discriminatory treatment against other Sahrawi political prisoners.
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