Concerns are growing over the situation in Western Sahara, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) warning that Sahrawi people continue to face restrictions and little progress towards self-determination decades after Morocco took control of most of the territory.<\/p>\n
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According to the rights group, many Sahrawis remain displaced, with large numbers living in refugee camps in neighbouring Algeria after being forced from their homes following the 1975 takeover. Those who remain in Moroccan-controlled areas are said to face ongoing challenges, including limits on freedom of expression and unequal access to opportunities.<\/p>\n
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Hanan Salah, Associate Director for the Middle East and North Africa at HRW, says the situation has remained unresolved for decades, with the United Nations yet to deliver a lasting solution. \u201cThe people of Western Sahara have been calling for a resolution since 1975, particularly for their right to self-determination, but this has not been achieved,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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Western Sahara is still classified by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory, making it the only one of its kind in Africa. Under international law, such territories are expected to complete a decolonisation process, which could include independence, integration, or autonomy.<\/p>\n
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However, HRW argues that recent developments at the United Nations Security Council fall short. The organisation says a new resolution does not clearly guarantee the right to self-determination, nor does it provide for reparations or the return of displaced Sahrawis.<\/p>\n
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Salah notes that activists who advocate for self-determination in Moroccan-controlled areas often face pressure. \u201cFor years, authorities have restricted peaceful calls for self-determination, with some activists subjected to detention and other forms of mistreatment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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The rights body is now urging stronger international action, including a renewed focus on ensuring that any political process fully reflects the rights of the Sahrawi people.<\/p>\n
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