This interview was organised by Human Rights House Oslo for the third edition of the “Portraits of Strength” photo exhibition. The photo was taken by Mónica Orjuela in Oslo, Norway, August 2024. 

Why did you become a human rights defender?

“I was born in a refugee camp. This is due to the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara.” 

From where I stand now I can see that being a human rights defender is a natural destination for people who have grown up with their rights violated. 

“For years I avoided presenting myself as a “human rights defender”, feeling not deserving of this title and ‘too privileged’ for it.”

“This was until I attended a workshop for human rights defenders where I was told to own that title. Because even though the challenges and realities are different [because of being in a safer country], there is an impact … and if you deny yourself expressing this impact it will only build up more frustration, leading to mental health issues, or worse scenarios where you stop this work.”

What is the nature of your work and what challenges do you face as a Woman Human Rights Defender?

“My fellow activists in the occupied territories face severe repercussions for speaking up, while I work in Norway with freedom and security. But today I use my privilege to give activists in the occupied territories a platform, despite Morocco’s efforts to silence them. There is a media blockade on the occupied territories, where international observers and journalists are denied access. Activists risk their lives to get information out, only for it to reach a small audience.”

“Defamation and slander are especially commonly used against female human rights defenders [in Western Sahara by the occupying authorities]. Spreading false information online, discrediting them and attacking their reputation and credibility among their community.”

“Even those activists from Western Sahara who live abroad constantly face online trolls and fear of being hacked or spied on.”

Another challenge, I wish to see more focus on, is related to mental health among the human rights [defenders] – it’s crucial to talk about, and to find practical strategies to tackle it, taking into consideration that this topic is still taboo in places where human rights violations are taking place. In the [human rights] work sometimes it can feel lonely.

What is the current human rights situation in your country?

“Ranked as one of the least politically free countries by Freedom House, Western Sahara scores only 4/100. The territory is under military occupation, with police and military outnumbering Sahrawis [local civilians]. Human rights defenders and their families are under close surveillance and often kept from working or accessing financial resources.”

“[People are stripped of] the right to peaceful protest and assembly, and activists face long harsh sentences. Dozens of Sahrawi human rights defenders are sentenced to lifetime in prison.”

What kind of human rights situation in your country would you like to see in the next 30 years?

“That my people, the Sahrawis, get their chance to practise their legitimate right to self-determination. That all the political prisoners are released, and for accountability for those who imprisoned them. That Sahrawi refugees return to their homeland. To see my country free from occupation.”

Can you describe your motivation to be a human rights defender?

“I don’t know if what I am doing makes a difference. But it sure has more impact than doing nothing.”

About Portraits of Strength

Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) work to protect and advance freedoms while facing discrimination and stereotypes about their role and participation in society.

HRHF seeks to honour and promote independent women human rights defenders and their work through the “Portraits of Strength: Women Defending Human Rights” photo exhibition and highlight the human rights situation in the countries of the Network of Human Rights Houses.

The exhibition, now in its third edition, shares portraits and stories from WHRDs working on a variety of issues including the documentation of human rights violations and alleged war crimes, rule of law, women’s rights, political prisoners, freedom of expression, and more.

Find out more here.