AGP Executive Report

Prisoners’ Health: A Berlin human rights group urged Morocco and European bodies to protect nine Sahrawi activists on hunger strike in Moroccan prisons, warning their health is deteriorating and calling for their release. Citizenship and Identity: Spain’s early election has shelved a bill that would have offered nationality to Sahrawis born under Spanish administration and some of their descendants, despite its recent passage in Congress. Surveillance and Protest: Amnesty International says Sahrawi activists face surveillance, arrests and restrictions for peaceful demonstrations; its latest report also links Pegasus spyware to targets connected to the Western Sahara cause. Cultural Rights: Sahrawi speakers at the UN Human Rights Council called for independent access to the territory and an end to discrimination. One highlighted the marginalization of Hassaniya language and heritage, alongside concerns over employment and resource rights.

Prisoners’ Health: A Berlin-based human rights group urged Germany and international organizations to protect nine Sahrawi Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike since September 23 and press for their release. Youth and Aid: UN speakers raised concerns about child recruitment and limited opportunities in Tindouf camps; a draft UN report also flags child malnutrition and aid shortages, while the lack of a census complicates planning. Culture and Rights: At the UN Human Rights Council, Sahrawi defender El Ghalia Djimi cited discrimination against Hassaniya language and heritage and called for independent access to Western Sahara. Amnesty International separately reported surveillance, arrests and harassment targeting Sahrawi activists. Nationality: Spain’s snap election has halted a bill that would have offered Spanish citizenship to Sahrawis born under Spanish administration.

Prisoners’ Health: A Berlin-based rights group urged Germany and international organizations to protect nine Sahrawi prisoners on hunger strike since September 23 and called for their release. Political Participation: Brahim Ghali opened preparations for the Polisario Front’s 17th congress, described as a chance for Sahrawis to choose leaders and shape policy. Citizenship and Identity: Spain’s snap election has halted a bill that would have offered nationality to Sahrawis born under Spanish rule and some of their descendants. Refugee Support: A UN draft report warns of child malnutrition and aid shortages in the Tindouf camps, where the lack of a census complicates planning for food, health and education. Activism and Culture: Amnesty reports continued surveillance and restrictions on Sahrawi activists, while defender El Ghalia Djimi urged UN action on discrimination and the marginalization of Hassaniya heritage. Education: A new engineering school in Dakhla has begun academic activities, bringing advanced technology training closer to young people in the southern provinces.

Hunger Strike: A Berlin-based rights group urged Germany and international organizations to secure the release of nine Sahrawi prisoners on hunger strike since September 23, warning their health is deteriorating. Congress Preparations: President Brahim Ghali opened preparations for the Polisario Front’s 17th congress, described as a forum for Sahrawis to shape leadership and future policy. Education in Dakhla: Ibn Zohr University launched the National School of Advanced Technologies, bringing engineering training closer to young people in the region. Citizenship Law: Spain’s snap election halted a bill that would have offered nationality to Sahrawis born under Spanish administration; it had cleared Congress in September. Rights and Heritage: Amnesty reported surveillance and restrictions targeting Sahrawi activists, while defender El Ghalia Djimi raised the marginalization of Hassaniya heritage at the UN Human Rights Council. Film and Activism: At Zurich’s film festival, Greta Thunberg called for concrete support for Sahrawis during the premiere of a documentary about activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, linking the cause to climate and social justice.

Sahrawi Congress: Brahim Ghali inaugurated the committee preparing the Polisario Front’s 17th congress, described as a forum for Sahrawis to choose leaders and shape the next stage of their national work. Nationality Rights: Spain’s snap election has shelved a bill that would have offered nationality to Sahrawis born under Spanish administration and their descendants. Refugee Wellbeing: A UN draft report warns of rising child malnutrition and aid shortages in the Tindouf camps, where the population remains unregistered, complicating plans for food, health and education services. Rights and Heritage: Amnesty reports surveillance, arrests and restrictions targeting Sahrawi activists; at the UN, El Ghalia Djimi also raised concerns over discrimination and the marginalization of Hassaniya heritage. Film and Activism: Greta Thunberg urged concrete support for Sahrawis at Zurich’s premiere of a documentary about activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, linking the struggle to climate and social justice.

Polisario Congress Prep: Polisario Front President Brahim Ghali inaugurated the Preparatory Committee for the 17th Congress, calling it a democratic milestone to set the next strategy for Sahrawi self-determination. Humanitarian Crisis in Tindouf: A UN draft report warns of worsening child malnutrition and ongoing aid shortages in the Tindouf camps, while UN agencies still lack a full census to verify the population needing help. Spain’s Sahrawi Nationality Bill Blocked: Spain’s early election order killed a bill that would have granted Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born under Spanish administration, despite major parliamentary progress. UN Momentum for Talks: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ Western Sahara report highlights renewed momentum under UN Security Council Resolution 2797, pointing to recent negotiation rounds. Surveillance and Repression: Amnesty International reports continued crackdowns on Sahrawi activists and links Morocco’s Pegasus spyware to targeting civil society, including figures connected to Western Sahara. UN Rights Council Appeals: Sahrawi defenders urged the Human Rights Council to end discrimination, ensure independent monitoring access, and implement Durban and Geneva obligations in occupied Western Sahara. Activism and Solidarity: Greta Thunberg renewed calls for concrete action on Western Sahara, while Nigeria’s ASUU pledged to keep supporting boycotts of resources taken without Sahrawi consent. Morocco’s Political Shift: Morocco’s new prime minister-designate, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, begins coalition talks as the country’s southern voter turnout signals strong local stakes in governance.

UN Diplomacy: UN chief António Guterres’ annual Western Sahara report says Security Council Resolution 2797 is reviving the UN-led political process, pointing to renewed direct talks and momentum toward a “just, lasting” solution. Human Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International reports Morocco’s surveillance and crackdown on Sahrawi activists in occupied Western Sahara, including Pegasus-linked targeting, smear campaigns, judicial harassment, and dispersal of peaceful protests. UN Rights Council Appeals: Sahrawi defenders El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou urged the Human Rights Council to end discrimination, apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions, and create independent, sustained monitoring access, while calling for release of political prisoners. Activism and Culture: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the documentary “My Home of Wind and Sand,” spotlighting Sahrawi resistance and criticizing international “hypocrisy,” as the film’s premiere drew attention to the occupation. Local Solidarity: Nigeria’s ASUU pledged continued support for Sahrawi rights, including a boycott of goods produced from Western Sahara resources without Sahrawi consent. Political Context in Morocco: Morocco’s new government formation moves ahead after King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, with coalition talks underway—while Saharan voters’ turnout signals how politics is felt far from the capital.

UN Diplomacy: UN chief António Guterres’ annual Western Sahara report says Security Council Resolution 2797 is reviving the UN-led political process, citing renewed direct talks involving Algeria, Polisario, Mauritania and Morocco. Human Rights & Monitoring: Sahrawi activists El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou urged the UN Human Rights Council to end discrimination, ensure independent international access, and implement the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions, including calls for the release of political prisoners. Surveillance & Repression: Amnesty International released multiple reports alleging Morocco’s long-running spyware and broader surveillance system targeting Sahrawi activists and civil society, including Pegasus-linked attacks and smear campaigns followed by judicial harassment. Activism & Solidarity: Nigeria’s ASUU pledged continued support for Western Sahara through scholarships and a boycott of goods produced from the territory without Sahrawi consent. Culture & Lifestyle: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the documentary “My Home of Wind and Sand,” spotlighting Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and criticizing international “hypocrisy” over the occupation. Local Politics: Morocco’s election aftermath puts Saharan provinces in focus, with turnout gaps in Laayoune–Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla–Oued Eddahab highlighting how southern voters engage with state institutions.

UN Diplomacy: UN chief Antonio Guterres’ annual report says Security Council Resolution 2797 has renewed momentum for UN-led Western Sahara talks, citing fresh direct rounds involving Algeria, Polisario, Mauritania and Morocco. Human Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International reports Morocco’s long-running surveillance and crackdown on Sahrawi activists, linking Pegasus spyware to targeting human rights defenders and describing a wider system of spying, smear campaigns, and judicial harassment. UN Watch in Geneva: Sahrawi defenders El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou urged the UN Human Rights Council to end discrimination, ensure independent monitoring access, and implement international obligations in occupied Western Sahara. Activism and Solidarity: Nigeria’s ASUU pledged continued support for Western Sahara through scholarships and a boycott of goods produced from the territory without Sahrawi consent. Culture & Visibility: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the documentary “My Home of Wind and Sand,” calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging concrete action for Sahrawi self-determination. Regional Politics: Morocco’s parliamentary elections spotlighted lower turnout in Saharan provinces, while Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed Morocco’s first woman head of government, tasked with forming a coalition.

Human Rights Watch in Occupied Western Sahara: Amnesty International reports continued surveillance, arrests, and restrictions on Sahrawi activists in El Aaiun and other occupied cities, including police assaults during protests calling for self-determination. Spyware and Smear Campaigns: Amnesty also says technical links tie Morocco’s Pegasus spyware to targeting Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar and other civil society figures, while warning that spying feeds into smear campaigns and judicial harassment. UN Rights Council Appeals: Sahrawi defenders El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou urged the UN Human Rights Council to end selectivity, apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions, and grant independent, sustained monitoring access—along with immediate release of political prisoners, including Gdeim Izik detainees on hunger strike. Culture and Activism on Screen: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” spotlighting Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and calling for concrete action beyond applause. Solidarity in France: Sahrawi diaspora groups in France held rallies and cultural events supporting the Gdeim Izik prisoners and demanding transfers closer to families in Western Sahara. Education and Language: Spain’s University of La Laguna launched Moroccan Darija seminars for medical and nursing students, blending practical language with cultural context.

Human Rights Watch: Amnesty International reports Morocco’s long-running surveillance crackdown in occupied Western Sahara, including arrests, restrictions on protest organizers, and assaults on Sahrawi activists in El Aaiun and beyond. Spyware & Smear Campaigns: Amnesty links Moroccan authorities to Pegasus use against Sahrawi and other civil society targets, describing a wider system that combines hacking, tracking, covert recording, and smear campaigns that can feed into judicial harassment. UN Rights Council Appeals: Sahrawi defenders El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou urged the UN Human Rights Council to end discrimination, apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions, and grant independent, sustained monitoring access, while calling for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners including Gdeim Izik detainees on hunger strike. Cultural Activism on the Global Stage: Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich Film Festival premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” a documentary on Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging concrete action. Solidarity Beyond Borders: Sahrawi diaspora groups in France held rallies and cultural events supporting the Gdeim Izik prisoners and demanding transfers closer to families in Western Sahara. Education & Capacity Building: Dakhla launched a National School of Advanced Technologies under Ibn Zohr University, aiming to expand advanced engineering training in Morocco’s southern provinces.

Surveillance & repression: Amnesty International reports Morocco’s occupation authorities are continuing arrests, restrictions and dispersals of peaceful Sahrawi protests in occupied cities like El Aaiun, alongside smear campaigns and judicial harassment that create a “chilling effect” for activists and their families. Pegasus targeting: Amnesty also says technical links tie Moroccan authorities to Pegasus spyware use against Sahrawi human rights defenders and figures linked to the Western Sahara cause, with targeting documented from 2017–2021 and possible continued use. Broader spyware system: A separate Amnesty briefing describes a wider surveillance machine—interception, tracking, covert recording and data access—used to fabricate charges and silence civil society. UN rights push: Sahrawi defenders El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou urged the UN Human Rights Council to end discrimination, ensure independent monitoring in Western Sahara, implement Durban commitments, and release political prisoners, including Gdeim Izik detainees on hunger strike. Culture & activism spotlight: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the documentary “My Home of Wind and Sand,” calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging concrete action for Sahrawi self-determination. Solidarity on the ground: In France, Sahrawi diaspora groups held rallies and cultural events supporting the Gdeim Izik prisoners and demanding transfers closer to Western Sahara.

UN Rights Council Appeals: Sahrawi activists El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou urged the UN Human Rights Council to end discrimination in occupied Western Sahara, apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions, and grant independent, sustained international monitoring access, while calling for the immediate release of Sahrawi political prisoners amid concerns over hunger strikes by Gdeim Izik detainees. Decolonisation Support: Vietnam reaffirmed its backing for self-determination and the decolonisation process for the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories at a UN General Assembly debate, stressing that administering powers must provide up-to-date information and that resource exploitation must not harm people’s interests. Spyware Exposé: Amnesty International released a report alleging Morocco’s long-running spyware campaign against civil society, including Sahrawi activists, describing surveillance tools used to target, silence, and smear human rights defenders. Diaspora Solidarity: Sahrawi groups in France held rallies and cultural events supporting Gdeim Izik prisoners and demanding transfers closer to Western Sahara. Global Activism & Culture: Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich Film Festival premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging concrete action for the Sahrawi cause. Education & Development: Dakhla launched a new engineering school of advanced technologies (ENTA) to expand training and applied research in Morocco’s southern regions.

UN Human Rights Council: Sahrawi activists El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou urged the UN to end discrimination in occupied Western Sahara, apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions, and grant independent, sustained international monitoring access. Digital Rights & Surveillance: Amnesty International released findings on Morocco’s spyware campaign against civil society, saying surveillance tools were used to silence activists and fabricate charges. Prisoners & Hunger Strike: Sahrawi defenders and the diaspora in France renewed calls for the immediate release of Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike and for transfers closer to families in Western Sahara. Solidarity & Boycotts: Nigeria’s ASUU pledged continued solidarity with the Sahrawi cause, including a boycott of goods tied to Western Sahara resources without Sahrawi consent. Culture & Activism in Zurich: Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich Film Festival premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging concrete action for Sahrawi rights. Humanitarian Spotlight: UNHCR chief Barham Salih warned that the Tindouf camps’ decades-long status quo is “intolerable” and “unsustainable,” calling for voluntary, informed choices.

Surveillance & Rights: Amnesty International says Morocco’s DGST and Maroc Telecom ran a long-running spyware system targeting journalists and Sahrawi activists, using tools like Pegasus and FinFisher to track, smear, and help fabricate charges, urging detainees’ release and a moratorium on spyware sales. Geneva Advocacy: Sahrawi defenders El Ghalia Djimi and Hamdi Mhamedou pressed the UN Human Rights Council to end selective implementation, apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions, and create independent monitoring access for Western Sahara, while calling for the unconditional release of Sahrawi political prisoners and action on Gdeim Izik hunger strikers. Culture & Activism in Zurich: Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich Film Festival premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging concrete support for Sahrawi self-determination. Education & Language: Spain’s University of La Laguna launched a Darija (Moroccan Arabic) seminar for medical and nursing students, blending practical communication with cultural context. Solidarity in France: Sahrawi diaspora groups in France rallied and held cultural events demanding rights for Gdeim Izik prisoners and transfers closer to Western Sahara. Politics in Morocco: Morocco appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as prime minister, a historic first for women, as coalition talks begin.

Royal Diplomacy & Migration: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Spain’s enclaves Ceuta (Oct 13) and Melilla (Oct 14) amid the ongoing migration crisis, a politically sensitive move after the 2007 royal visit sparked tensions with Morocco. Human Rights at the UN: Sahrawi activist Munina Aouissi Sidi urged the UN Human Rights Council to fully implement UPR recommendations for Western Sahara, warning of continued restrictions and harassment of defenders. Activism Through Film & Climate: Greta Thunberg backed the Sahrawi cause at the Zurich Film Festival, calling out international “hypocrisy” and linking climate justice to self-determination; the documentary My Home of Wind and Sand spotlights Najla Mohamed Lamin’s struggle. Civil Society Under Surveillance: Amnesty reported Morocco’s spyware campaign targeting civil society, describing Pegasus use as part of a broader repression ecosystem. Education & Culture: Spain’s Canary Islands University launched a Moroccan Darija seminar for medical and nursing students, blending language with cultural context. Solidarity Networks: Sahrawi diaspora groups in France rallied for the Gdeim Izik prisoners, demanding rights protections and transfers closer to families. Tindouf Camps Under Strain: UN refugee chief Barham Salih warned that the long-standing Tindouf status quo is “intolerable,” urging solutions that start with refugees’ voluntary choices. Boycott & Youth Support: Nigeria’s ASUU pledged continued solidarity with Western Sahara, sustaining scholarships and advocating boycotts of goods tied to resources extracted without Sahrawi consent.