London, May 14, 2014 (SPS) - Amnesty International (AI) has called on Morocco to “end the climate of impunity” in Western Sahara by prosecuting all those perpetrators of torture, urging it to end secret detentions and to ensure that detainees have access to a lawyer, notably during interrogation.
In a report issued on the occasion of the launch of Stop Torture Worldwide Campaign, the London-based human rights group called on Morocco to “end the climate of impunity” by prosecuting all those against whom their is sufficient evidence.
It also urged the Moroccan authorities “not to use confessions obtained through torture in any proceedings, to end secret detentions and to ensure that detainees have access to a lawyer, notably during interrogation.”
Amnesty International cited specific cases in which Saharawi detainees signed “confessions” after being subjected to torture or other ill-treatment in police custody.
The ONG, in this respect, said that one of six Saharawis arrested during a pro-independence demonstration last year, claims he was threatened with rape and forced to sign a “confession” that he was prevented from reading.
Amnesty International launched Monday a new campaign against torture and other ill-treatment, from Chicago to Guantanamo to Nigeria and around the world. (SPS)
