Amnesty international USA launches an online action in favour of Mustapha Abd Daiem

The US branch of Amnesty International initiated an online action in favour of the Saharawi journalist and imprisoned human rights activist, Mustapha Abd Daiem. The letter is addressed to the Moroccan government, and can easily be sent by anyone who would like to simply by filling his or her information to the form on the web page. Follow the link if you chose to send the letter, and you can also read the text below: ----------------------------------------- Morocco: Stop unfair trials of Western Saharan human rights defenders I am writing today to express my deep concern about the recent trial and sentencing of Mustafa Abdel Dayem, a Sahrawi human rights activist and a guard at the ‘Alal Al-Fassi secondary school in Assa. I believe that his trial was highly irregular and thus his current prison sentence is unfair and unjustified. The Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie arrested him on 27 October 2008 in his home in Assa without a warrant. Then, 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. He was sentenced to a three-year prison term and a fine of 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. Indeed, Mustafa Abdel Dayem was denied his right to be defended by legal counsel during his appeal trial. Mustafa Abdel Dayem, currently incarcerated at Inzegane Prison in Agadir. As a country that has made serious efforts to address its human rights record in recent years, I call on Morocco to address this serious failure of justice. To take action NOW and to start sending the letter go to: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=11625

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