Geneva (Switzerland), October 1, 2026 (SPS)- Sahrawi activist Munina Aouissi Sidi called on the UN Human Rights Council to ensure the effective implementation of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations concerning human rights in Western Sahara, stressing that the priority is to respect existing commitments and put an end to ongoing violations.
Speaking before the Council during the discussion under Item 6 on the Universal Periodic Review, she highlighted continued restrictions on fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression, assembly and association, as well as harassment faced by Sahrawi human rights defenders.
She also drew attention to the limited access to the territory for independent observers, noting that this hampers an objective assessment of the human rights situation.
The activist called on Morocco to fully cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms, ensure independent observers have access to Western Sahara, respect fundamental freedoms, and end acts of retaliation and harassment against Sahrawi human rights defenders.
She concluded by stressing the need to address the human rights situation within the political and legal framework of the Western Sahara issue, reaffirming that the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination remains at the core of this framework.
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