Chahid El Hafed, El Aaiun (Western Sahara), Sunday 11 October 2026
The Association of the Families of Sahrawi Prisoners and Disappeared (AFAPREDESA) has received the statement issued by the Gdeim Izik Group on Sunday 11 October 2026, in which they announced their decision to begin a 48-hour hunger strike starting Monday 12 October 2026, in solidarity with their fellow Sahrawi civilian prisoners who have been on hunger strike in Moroccan prisons since 23 September 2026, in protest against the continued postponement and evasion by the occupying authorities in responding to the legitimate demands of the strikers, and in condemnation of the systematic policy of repression and neglect practiced against them. AFAPREDESA expresses its full support for the content of this statement and highly valuing the solidarity struggle action taken by the Gdeim Izik Group, the Association firmly rejects the way the Moroccan Prison Administration is dealing with the hunger strikers and holds the Moroccan authorities fully responsible for any deterioration in their health condition.
The mistreatment, neglect and violation of the rights of Sahrawi civilian prisoners constitute a flagrant violation of international human rights instruments, the rules of international humanitarian law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, and other international treaties and covenants.
Accordingly, the Association of the Families of Sahrawi Prisoners and Disappeared (AFAPREDESA) urges the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene urgently in order to save the lives of the hunger-striking prisoners and secure their release, in accordance with the decisions and opinions of United Nations mechanisms, particularly the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Committee against Torture. The Association also insists on the opening of family visits and the facilitation of the work of humanitarian commissions, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, pending their release, in order to guarantee their physical and psychological safety and respect for their human dignity.
Long live the struggles of the Sahrawi civilian prisoners for freedom and dignity.
Association of the Families of Sahrawi Prisoners and Disappeared (AFAPREDESA)
Statement by the Sahrawi Civilian Prisoners – Gdeim Izik Group
As part of the solidarity campaign with our fellow Sahrawi civilian prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan prisons since 23 September 2026, and in protest against the continued procrastination and evasion by the occupying authorities in responding to the legitimate demands of the strikers, and in condemnation of the systematic policy of repression and neglect practiced against them, we, the Gdeim Izik Group, announce our entry into a 48-hour hunger strike in solidarity with our striking comrades, starting next Monday 12 October. We, the members of the Gdeim Izik Group held in Moroccan prisons, through this struggle action firmly reject the way the Moroccan Prison Administration is dealing with our hunger-striking comrades and hold it fully responsible for any deterioration in their health condition. We consider that what the prison administration is doing constitutes an escape from its legal and moral responsibility and a flagrant violation of international human rights instruments, the rules of international humanitarian law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and other international treaties and covenants. Instead of respecting the law and humanitarian norms and seeking a solution to the suffering of prisoners who have been subjected to ill-treatment and torture because of their opinions.
The Sahrawi civilian prisoners of the Gdeim Izik Group in Moroccan prisons declare their unconditional solidarity with the struggle being waged by the Sahrawi civilian prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan prisons, and hold the Moroccan occupying state and the international community fully responsible for their safety.
Long live the struggles of the Sahrawi people and freedom for all prisoners
Gdeim Izik Group
Sunday 11 October 2026