On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Karama Human Rights Organization presents this report to highlight the ongoing human rights violations in Western Sahara. The report has been submitted to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Congress, and the UN Personal Envoy for Western Sahara to ensure that key international actors are fully informed and to strengthen monitoring and accountability.
National and international human rights reports indicate continuing restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, a shrinking civic space, and limited access for independent organizations to monitor conditions on the ground. In this context, Sahrawi activists face long prison sentences solely for peacefully expressing their political opinions, reflecting systematic policies that undermine fundamental rights.
Political prisoners endure inhumane detention conditions, with restricted access to their families and lawyers, and are often denied visits from international observers. At the same time, the natural resources of Western Sahara continue to be exploited without the consent of the Sahrawi people, despite the European Court of Justice’s clear ruling that the territory is separate and that any resource exploitation must have the approval of its indigenous population. Some products are marketed under alternative names, such as “Dakhla – Oued Ed-Dahab,” in violation of EU law and principles of transparency and the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
Additionally, there have been repeated instances of journalists and international human rights delegations being denied or restricted access, which hinders independent assessments of the human rights situation and raises serious concerns about transparency and civil society rights.
Karama emphasizes that any political step must safeguard the Sahrawi people’s inalienable rights to self-determination, conducted in a democratic framework under the supervision of the United Nations. One single day of true democracy is enough to bring an end to the long-standing suffering caused by displacement, occupation, and exile. This fundamental right must never be seized or undermined by any party or under any pretext. Respecting the Sahrawi people’s sovereignty and their right to self-determination is the true guarantee for justice, dignity, and lasting peace in the region.
