Several reports about violence from the police in connection with peaceful demonstrations etc. have reached the Rafto Foundation. At the moment the 2002 Rafto Prize laureate, Sidi Mohammed Daddach (picture) and his immediate circle of associates are the only ones who can publicly air discontentment and criticism regarding Morocco?s policy in Western Sahara. The Rafto Prize has afforded Daddach and 14 of his associates protection and they are thus able to speak up about the human rights violations that are taking place in the occupied territories. (06-MAY-2005)
Berserk Production who visited the area earlier this year reported that the Rafto Prize has been of immense importance for the human rights activists in Western Sahara.
Freedom of press is limited both in Morocco and Western Sahara, and the authorities are very cautious to let foreign journalists visit Western Sahara. If the authorities suspect that journalists are reporting about human rights violations or initiate contact with human rights activists, the journalists are forced to leave the country. This happened to three Norwegian journalists last year, and in April 2005 another two Norwegian journalists were arrested and prohibited from doing their job in Western Sahara
