Geneva (Switzerland), September 25, 2026 (SPS) – Sahrawi human rights activist Ghalia Dajimi called for the establishment of strong and independent bodies and mechanisms capable of addressing the challenges and working to promote and protect human rights in Western Sahara, pending a final settlement of the conflict.
In an intervention before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ghalia Dajimi said that the systematic and ongoing human rights violations committed by the Moroccan occupation authorities for the past fifty years are a source of grave concern regarding the fundamental rights of the Sahrawi people, foremost among them the right to self-determination.
She described self-determination as a fundamental and inalienable right that guarantees human dignity, safeguards the distinct identity of the Sahrawi people, and paves the way for genuine, sustainable, effective and equitable development, as well as the right to a safe and stable life.
Ghalia Dajimi also expressed concern over the continued cases of enforced disappearance and their consequences, as well as torture, reprisals, unfair trials and unjustifiably lengthy sentences targeting Sahrawi activists and human rights defenders in the occupied territories.
The Sahrawi activist condemned the restrictions imposed on freedom of expression and assembly, describing them as manifestly discriminatory against Sahrawis who express positions contrary to those of the Moroccan occupation authorities.
She stated: “On the 20th of this month, the two activists from the occupied city of Boujdour, Zainab Babi and Hajina Babi, were subjected to excessive ill-treatment following a peaceful protest, followed by a nighttime attack on the home of one of them.”
In light of all these circumstances, Ghalia Dajimi reiterated that it is the responsibility of the international human rights system to ensure the protection of the human rights of the Sahrawi people and to guarantee that perpetrators are not allowed to enjoy impunity.
