AWSA supports UPES for the release of Mustapha Abd Daiem

The Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) expressed support to the Saharawi Journalists’ and Writers’ Union (UPES) for the release of the Saharawi prisoner of conscience and member of UPES, Mustapha Abd Daiem. The Australian organization expressed concerns, in a letter to the Secretary General of UPES, about the injustice to which Mustapha was subjected. Here is the complete text of the letter: -------------------------------------------------------------- 28 January 2009 Mr. Malainin Lakhal General Secretary UPES Saharawi Refugee camps Dear Malainin Free Mustapha Abd Daiem Campaign I am writing on behalf of the Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) to express our support for your campaign for Mustapha Abd Daiem, a Saharawi human rights activist, journalist and member of the Assa-Zag Branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights and the Saharawi Journalists’ and Writers’ Union. We are aware that Mustafa Abd Daiem is currently serving a three year prison sentence in Ait Meloul prison in Morocco and has been on a hunger strike to protest his situation. AWSA is concerned about his recent trial which we understand was highly irregular and thus his current prison sentence is unfair and unjustified. On 4 November, the Court of First Instance of Guelmim convicted him of offending the flag of the Kingdom of Morocco, rebelling and inciting an armed gathering, participating in the destruction of public property and participating in the contempt of public officials on duty. In addition to the prison term he was fined 50,000 dirhams (approximately US$6,220). The sentence also leaves him unemployed, as it included a prohibition of practicing teaching or working in any educational institution for a period of 10 years. Mustafa Abdel Dayem and his lawyers insist that the record of his questioning by the Royal Gendarmerie (procès-verbal), on which his conviction was largely based, was falsified and different from the one he originally signed. He was also denied his right to be defended by legal counsel during his appeal trial. We understand that Mustapha’s treatment is in response to his belief in Saharawi independence. This would appear to be another example of the abuse of the human rights in the occupied territory of Western Sahara, including torture, restriction of freedom of expression and unfair trials for those Saharawis who publicly express opposition to the Moroccan occupation. For these reasons AWSA strongly supports the campaign run by UPES for the release of Mustapha Abd Daiem. Yours sincerely Lesley Osborne AWSA Vice President/Secretary ------------------------- Related stories: 18/01/2009Western Sahara Campaign UK supports UPES for the release of Mustapha Abd Daiem 14/01/2009- Mustapha Abd Daiem transferred from the prison of Inzegan to Ait Meloul 24/12/2008- Free Mustapha Abd Daiem: Save the life of the family of a Saharawi prisoner of conscience in hunger strike 23/12/2008- Amnesty International: Irregularities in Saharawi activist’s trial 23/12/2008- The President of the Republic condemns Moroccan Forces kidnapping a 9 years old girl in Smara 21/11/2008- Moroccan court of appeal postpones the trial of Saharawi journalist to Nov 27 12/11/2008- Strong denunciation of the imprisonment of the Saharawi journalist Moustafa Abd daiem 06/11/2008- The President of the Republic denounced the condemnation of the Saharawi journalist Moustapha Abd Dayem 05/11/2008- Sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, Mustapha is transferred to Inzegan prison 04/11/2008- Three years imprisonment and a fine against a member of UPES 28/10/2008- Moroccan colonial authorities kidnap a Saharawi journalist and writer 28/10/2008- Violent confrontations in Assa between the Moroccan colonial forces and Saharawi demonstrators 22/07/2007- Moroccan regime harasses Saharawi journalist Mustapha Abdedaim again