Amnesty International Urges Spanish PM to Address Human Rights in Morocco Visit

Denouncing in a statement the violations of human rights in the Sahara, as well as those of the rights of women, LGBTI people and freedom of expression in Morocco, the director of Amnesty International Spain, Esteban Beltrán, wished that Pedro Sanchez would wear the coat of human rights defender during his visit to Rabat this Thursday.

"The Western Sahara and the Tindouf camps of the Polisario Front (Algeria) remain inaccessible to human rights organizations," he lamented, calling for respect for these rights for the exercise of freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful association in the Sahara. According to him, it is essential that respect for human rights "ceases to be a residual problem" in bilateral relations between Morocco and Spain.

To read: Morocco’s Human Rights Record Criticized in Amnesty International’s 2021 Report

The NGO urged the Spanish government to review its migration cooperation with Morocco, ensuring that the priority is given to respect for the rights of migrants and putting an end to the immediate returns of the latter, particularly unaccompanied minors. Amnesty International also asked President Sanchez to advocate for the urgent decriminalization of abortion and the repeal of all discriminatory laws against women and the LGBTI group in Morocco.

Sanchez’s visit follows his decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara. It is part of the restoration of relations between the two countries, after several months of crisis.