Morocco, rabat: press and material from 6th february-action: stop war against migrants‏

Dear people,

Attached various reports, fotos and videos from our Sit-In in front of 
the spanish embassy in Rabat.
Its published in Morocco, Spain and Senegal.
See the links below:

best greetings,
carla

Fotos from Radio Air Mboa:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.955778144477648.1073741907.407442459311222&type=3

Video from Radio Air Mboa:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nXI2aUxzZw

Article in Spanish Newspaper el Diario:
http://www.eldiario.es/desalambre/Inmigrantes-subsaharianos-manifiestan-Marruecos-Ceuta_0_481552293.html

Senegalese TV:
https://youtu.be/vxanuYCcqKc

Blog with all transnational actions of 6th february:
http://6feb-ceuta.org/

World,Dead of Ceuta Impressions from Berlin (and Tanger)‏ Morocco

Hello,

with this e-mail we want to shortly look back at the action days in Berlin on the occasion of the first anniversary of the dead of Ceuta (6 - 8th of february 2015.) In principle the activities have been a big success, especially what the composition of the participants is concernd: 50 activists participated alone from Paris  - in addition there have been people from Marocco, Spain, Italy, Poland etc participating - apart from bigger groups from Gernany (among other places from Bielefeld, Hanau and Brandenburg.) This means concretely: The "International Coalition of Sans Papiers and Migrants'/CISPM (https://cispmberlin.wordpress.com/) which emerged from the march from Strassbourg to Bruxelles could stabilize itself by the action days; therefor further common respective coodinated actions have been planned - among others on the 21th of march and the 22 of may against Frontex. 

Here you can find a video and pictures from the commemorative march: 

The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHi9EW5JbHk

Photos I (quite recommendable):https://www.flickr.com/photos/basspunk/sets/72157650696836102

Photos II: http://afrique-europe-interact.net/1275-0-06022014---Gedenkaktionen.html

On the other hand is has been deplorable that certain groups have not participated in the action days at all due to different conflicts in the forefront of the action days. In our eyes it is more than normal that there are conflicts in social movements. What we do not find normal is that  this leads to something such as a political boycott. This has been especially drastic at the impressive manifestation, in which more particpants from other cities have been participating than from the million metropolis Berlin. Another challenge is still the question of language: Although the meeting took place with french-english translation it was quite noticeable, that french was the language most spoken. This shows that we still have to pay a lot of attention to the question of translation in transnational organisatzion proceeses. 

Finally we want to hint at the fact that directly after the action days there has been massive repression in Marocco: Alone in the forests of Nador supposedly 1000 migrants have been arrested; many of them shall now be deported in their countries of origin. It is difficult to say to what extent our protests against Spain and Marocco (and against the EU as a whole) have played a role. But is shows that we should stay on the ball.... 

Two last information: a) On the occasion of the anniversary there has been also a commemorative action in Dakar, at which Alassane Dicko (Association of deportees of Mali) from Bamako reported via skype on the activities in Europe. b) Apart from Berlin further activities have taken place as well, amongst others in Düsseldorf and Morocco. A report about the activities in Tanger is already available. You find it at the end of this mail.

Thanks to all who have supported the action - be it by preparation or participation or by other means !!!

NoLager Bremen (activ in the context of Afrique-Europe-Interact)

P.S. Report from Tanger

Transnational Action Day: Stop the War Against Migrants! On the 6th of February 2015 in Tanger, Morocco, as well as in different european countries, people were gathering to give a sign against the murderous border politics of the EU. conmemoration events take place in London, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Madrid, Barcelona and Tanger to remember the 15 people that have been killed by the spanish border police (Guardia Civil) exactly one year ago on the fence. For this reason more than 80 people come together in Tanger to lament the deaths of their comrades, amongst them many migrants who survived the attack of the Guardia Civil. "This is just the beginning!" says Franck, the first speaker, resolutely into the microfone. "White and Black people here in Morocco as well as in Europe organize common actions and say No! to a politic that generates/produces war."

"Morocco is a country at the fences, which keep people from practicing their right of freedom of movement", says Christian, "the inhuman killing where people shoot on other people with teargas has to end." 5 people, who survived these teargas- and rubberbullet-attacks speak out about the inhuman reality. A young man from Cameroun testifies what he experienced: "The evening before the atmosphere in the forest of Casiago was good, we were dancing and singing. A young man called his mother on the telephone. The next time he would call her from Spain, he said. Another man was talking to his wife on phone and spoke with his child. He told him that his father would arrive in Spain tomorrow, that he would sit in a comedor eating chicken."

"At three a clock in the morning we prayed together. At around Four a clock we were on the way to the border. We were many people, 300 persons in my group. The morrocan police was behind us. We arrived at the beach. Swimming we tried to reach the spanish enclave Ceuta.The Guardia Civil 
surrounded, blocked and shot on us. The first bullet, the second, third, it did not stop. Nobody could defend themself in this moment. Next to me there was a man with his face in the water and I asked myself at first how he could swimm like this. Like this. Then I realized that he was dead. More than one hundred deaths - they are hiding the truth. I want Europe to be concious of what is happening here", demands another witness.

The atmosphere is full of sadness but also full of determenation: "It feels good to know we are not alone!" says the young man from Cameroun and starts singing a selfcomposed song to commemorate the victims of this massacre. It is an emotional/moving moment. The optimism predominates: "We are here to organize ourselves!". There is a vivid exchange of ideas. During the common lunch there are plenty of conversations and many contacts are shared. Pictures of the border and the fences are exposed in the meeting room. In the evening a ceremony in commemoration of all the deaths at the borders takes place in the catholic church. The migrants choir calms the tention of these events. At the end of the day, friends prepare delicious senegalese food. Finally everybody says good-bye to eachother: Tired but full of hope.

Morocco :Repression in Tanger‏

Migrants from Tangier as well as associations of Tanger (AMDH, Armid, Chabaka, Atack Tanger, visa sans frontières) in cooperation with associations of Rabat (conseil de migrants, Gadem, AMDH, CNDH), the group Morocco Migrants Solidarity and the support from the comrades from APDHA Cadiz, Spain, were blocked by police on their way to go to the meeting point of the gathering in the "Place des Nations" Tanger. The groups wanted to protest against racist attacks and repressions that subsaharan migrants are suffering. The delegation from Rabat with more than 30 people were refused entry to the city of Tanger by the "forces auxiliaires". Instead they made a gathering on the spot, when they could not join to the comrades from Tanger.
Migrants who wanted to come to the demonstration were controlled and stopped by police. People who came to the meeting point were expected by the police, and there was an enormous police presence who scattered people by threatening to attack.

"This policy goes against the poor people. Morocco is acting as the watchdog for Europe", said a guy from Tanger who came to demonstrate against racism.
A person born in Senegal explains: "We are here to pass to Europe, we do not want conflicts, we want tranquility, we are looking for a job and a life."
In Tanger the migrants are each day pushed out of the city more and more brutally. The authorities block their circulation close to the European border with repression, organized attacks and deportations to Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and recently even with deportations to countries of origin.
While the EU increases the means to militarize its external borders, the migrants awaiting entry are repressed harder in the Moroccan kingdom for every day.

 

Armid, SOC, Morocco Migrants Solidarity

 

 

Répression à Tanger

Des migrants de Tanger et aussi des associations de Tanger (AMDH, Armid, Chabaka, Atack Tanger, visa sans frontières) en cooperation avec des associations de Rabat (conseil de migrants, Gadem, AMDH, CNDH) la groupe Morocco Migrants Solidarity et le soutien des camerades de Cadiz, Espagne, étaient bloqués par la police en route à la Place des Nations où le sit-in devrait être. Les groupes voulaient protester contre les attaques racistes et la répression dont les migrants subsahariens souffrent. La delegation de Rabat qui est venue avec plus de 30 personnes étaient refusé d'entrer à la ville par les “Forces Auxiliaires”. Face à cette situation ils ont fait un sit-in sur place, comme ils ne pouvaient pas joindre les camerades à Tanger. Les migrants de Tanger qui voulaient venir à la manifestation étaient arrêtés et controllés par la police. Les gens qui sont venus à la place des Nations étaient attendu par une présence enorme de forces policières et étaient chassés avec la menace d'attaquer. Un homme de Tanger qui voulait aller à la manifenstation contre le racisme a dit: ”Cette politique est contre le gens pauvres. 

Le Maroc est le gendarme d'Europe.”
Une personne née au Sénégal a expliqué: “On est ici pour traverser vers l'Europe. On ne veut pas des conflits, on veut la tranquilité, on cherche du boulot et la vie.” A Tanger les migrants sont chassé de la ville chaque jour de plus en plus brutale. Les autorités bloque la circulation près des frontières de l'Europe avec répression, des attaques organisés, des deportations vers Casablanca, Rabat, Fez et même avec deportations vers les pays d'origine. Pendant l'UE augmente les moyens pour la militarisation des frontières extérieures, les migrants attendant l'entrée sont repressés par le regime marrocain de plus en plus chaque jour.

 

Armid, SOC, Morocco Migrants Solidarity

 

Represión en Tanger

L@s migrantes de Tanger tanto como las asociaciones de Tanger(AMDH, Armid, Chabaka, Atack Tanger, visa sans frontières) en cooperación con las asociaciones de Rabat(conseil de migrants, Gadem, AMDH, CNDH), el grupo Morocco Migrants Solidarity y desde España un apoyo desde l@s compañer@s de APDHA Cadiz y SOC Almeria fueron bloqueados por la policia cuando se dirigían de ir al punto de encuentro de la concentración en la „Place des Nations“ de Tanger. Los grupos querían protestar contra los ataques racistas y represiónes que sufren l@s migrantes subsaharian@s durante las últimas semanas. Los „forces auxiliaires“ negaron la entrada a la ciudad de Tanger a la delegación de Rabat con más que 30 personas. Allí realizaron una concentración puntual. No podían juntarse con l@s compañer@s de Tanger. L@s migrantes que querían venir a la manifestación fueron controlad@s y rechazad@s por la policia. A las personas que llegaron al punto de encuentro ya les esperaba una presencia policial enorme que dispersó a la gente amenazando con cargas.
„ Este política va en contra de los pobres. Los marroqiés están haciendo la guardia de virgilancia para europa“ comenta un chico de Tanger que habia venido para manifestar contra el racismo.

Una persona, nacida en Senegal explica: „ Nosotros estamos aqui de paso a europa, no queremos conflictos, queremos estar en tranquilidad, buscamos un trabajo y una vida“.
En Tanger l@s migrantes están rechazad@s de la ciudad cada vez más. Los autoridades bloquean la circulación cerca de la frontera con UE. Con represión, ataques organizados y deportaciónes a Casablanca, Rabat, Fes y hace poco hasta con deportaciónes a los países de orígen.
Mientras la UE aumenta los medios para militarizar sus fronteras exteriores, l@s migrantes en espera de entrada están cada dia más castigad@s en el reino marroquí.

 

Armid, SOC, Morocco Migrants Solidarity

 

Morocco :Urgent call out for donations – anti prison and migrants’ struggle

It'd be really good if everybody could spread the call-out (below and
attached, in english, french, german)

tout le monde, il faut diffuser l'appel aux dons, svp!!! (ci-dessous et
attaché, en anglais, francais, allemand)

we thought about sending it to all kind of activist/migrant-solidarity
email lists, in different countries

nous pensons l'envoyer aux groupes des militant*es - solidarité avec les
migrant*es, dans des pays différents


thanks - merci







Urgent call out for donations – anti prison and migrants’ struggle in
Morocco

In Northern Morocco, many illegalised migrants and refugees are stuck,
waiting for a chance to cross over to Europe. These past months, racist
harassment has increased, particularly in Boukhalef, a quarter on the
outskirts of Tangier. In the night between the 29th and 30th of August,
this culminated in the stabbing of a young Senegalese migrant named
Charles. The migrant community immediately responded to the murder by
taking to the streets, protesting against this extreme form of racism.
This led to several confrontations between police and migrants: police
were using water cannons, beating up people and arresting 29 of the
protesters over the next couple of days. All in all, three (official
numbers) or up until six people were killed during these events. Some of
the arrested activists were deported back to their country “of origin”,
some were sentenced to a month in prison and a fine of 1000 dirham (100
euros). Others were held in the basement of the Casablanca airport for
days, starting a hunger strike in protest against the conditions they
were being held in. When they were finally released, they were also
burdened with a fine of 1000 dirham. At the moment, seven activists are
forced to pay this fine and will face further repression if they fail to
do so. For an illegalised migrant, with hardly any possibility of
finding work in Tangier due to racism, resentment and economic crisis,
this amount of money is close to impossible to raise. Therefore we call
for activists and groups in Europe to show solidarity by donating
whatever amount of money is possible. People here are facing the
consequences of the racist EU border policies on a daily basis, but are
fighting back despite the repression.
We urgently need these 700 Euros so that the seven activists can have
one less worry and continue their struggle. If you, or people from your
network are able to donate some money, if your group or collective has
any left-over funds, please get in touch with
nobordersmorocco@riseup.net We will then send you our account details
for transferring the money.

SOLIDARITY - NO BORDERS MOROCCO
www.beatingborders.wordpress.com




Appel urgent aux dons – Contre l'emprisonnement des migrant*es et pour
le soutien à leurs luttes au Maroc

Dans le nord du Maroc, de nombreux migrant*es et réfugié*es sont
bloqué*es, en attente d' une chance de traverser vers l'Europe. Ces
derniers mois, les harcèlements racistes ont augmenté, en particulier
dans Boukhalef, un quartier à la périphérie de Tanger. Dans la nuit du
29 au 30 août, un jeune migrant sénégalais du nom de Charles a été
agressé et tué. La communauté des migrant*es a répondu instantanément à
cette assassinat en descendant dans la rue pour protester contre cette
forme extrême de racisme. Cela a conduit à plusieurs confrontations
entre la police et les migrant*es: la police utilisaient des canons à
eau, battaient les gens et ont  arrêté 29 des manifestants dans les
jours suivants.  Trois (chiffres officiels) ou jusqu'à six personnes ont
été tuées lors de ces événements. Certain*es des militant*es arrêté*es
ont été renvoyé*es dans leur pays "d'origine", certains ont été
condamné*es à un mois de prison et à une amende de 1000 dirhams (100
euros). D'autres ont été maintenu*es dans le sous-sol de l'aéroport de
Casablanca pendant des jours, ont commençé une grève de la faim en signe
de protestation contre leurs conditions de détention. Lorsqu'ils/elles
ont finalement été libéré*es, elles/ils ont été condamné*es à une amende
de 1000 dirhams. À l'heure actuelle, sept militant*es sont contraint*es
de payer cette amende et devront faire face à d'autres répressions si
elles/ils ne parviennent pas à payer.
Pour un*e migrant*e non régularisé*e avec guère de possibilités de
trouver du travail à Tanger à cause du racisme et de la crise
économique, cette somme d'argent est impossible à trouver. Par
conséquent, nous appelons aux militant*es et les groupes de l'Europe à
faire preuve de solidarité en faisant un minime ou plus important don.
Les gens ici sont confronté*es  au quotidien à la répression et au
racisme suite au politique migratoire des frontières de l'UE, mais
continuent de lutter malgré la répression.
Nous avons besoin de toute urgence de 700 Euros afin que les sept
militant*es soient soulager et peuvent continuer leur lutte. Si vous, ou
des personnes de votre réseau sont dans la possiblité de verser un peu
d'argent, ou si votre groupe ou association aurait des fonds disponibles
à leur cause, s'il vous plaît entrer en contact avec
nobordersmorocco@riseup.net Nous vous ferons alors parvenir nos
coordonnées bancaires pour le transfert de l'argent.

SOLIDARITÉ – NO BORDERS MAROC
www.beatingborders.wordpress.com






Dringender Spendenaufruf – Widerstand gefangener Migrant*innen in Marokko

Im Norden Marokkos sitzen viele illegalisierte Migrant*innen fest,
während sie auf eine Gelegenheit warten, nach Europa zu kommen. In den
letzten Monaten haben rassistische Attacken zugenommen, besonders in
Boukhalef, einem Viertel am Stadtrand von Tangier. In der Nacht zwischen
dem 29. und 30. August wurde ein junger senegalesischer Migrant namens
Charles erstochen. Die migrantische community hat sofort auf diesen Mord
reagiert und ist auf die Straße gegangen um gegen diese extreme Form von
Rassismus zu demonstrieren. Dies führte zu Konfrontationen zwischen
Polizei und Migrant*innen: die Polizei fuhr Wasserwerfer auf, schlug
Leute zusammen und verhaftete während der Demo und in den nächsten Tagen
29 Protestierende. Insgesamt wurden mindestends drei Menschen umgebracht
(offizielle Zahl), wenn nicht sogar sechs. Ein Teil der festgenommenen
Aktivist*innen wurde in ihre “Herkunfts”länder deportiert, andere wurden
zu einem Monat Gefängnis und einer Geldstrafe von 1000 Dirham (100 Euro)
verurteilt. Ein anderer Teil wurde tagelang im Keller des Flughafens von
Casablanca festgehalten, wo sie einen Hungerstreik starteten um gegen
die Haftbedingungen zu protestieren. Als sie endlich auf freien Fuß
kamen, wurden ihnen ebenfalls eine Geldstrafe von 1000 Dirham
aufgebrummt. Im Moment müssen 7 der Aktivist*innen diese Strafe auch
wirklich zahlen, weil sie ansonsten mit weiteren Repressionsmaßnahmen
rechnen müssen. Für illegalisierte Migrant*innen, die aufgrund von
Rassismus, Ressentiments und Wirtschaftskrise in Tangier so gut wie
keine Chance haben Arbeit zu finden, ist es fast unmöglich, diese Summe
aufzutreiben. Deshalb fordern wir Aktivist*innen und Gruppen in Europa
auf, sich solidarisch zu zeigen und soviel Geld zu spenden, wie jeweils
möglich ist. Die Leute hier sind jeden Tag mit den Konsequenzen der
rassistischen EU-Grenzpolitik konfrontiert, aber sie leisten Widerstand,
trotz der Repression.
Wir brauchen daher dringend 700 Euro, damit diese 7 Aktivist*innen eine
Sorge weniger haben, und weiterkämpfen können. Wenn du, oder Leute, die
du kennst, in der Lage sind etwas Geld zu spenden; wenn deine Gruppe
oder Kollektiv etwas Geld übrig hat, bitte schreib uns:
nobordersmorocco@riseup.net Wir werden dir dann eine Bankverbindung
angeben, damit du das Geld überweisen kannst.

SOLIDARITY - NO BORDERS MOROCCO
www.beatingborders.wordpress.com

Morocco : Racist attacks in Boukhalef, Tangier‏

beatingborders.wordpress.com/2014/08/31/racist-attacks-in-boukhalef/


The violence in Boukhalef, a quarter of Tangier in the North of Morocco, 
has reached a new dimension. Friday night, the 29th of August, a racist 
group armed with knives and bats attacked migrants and killed at least 
one person – a Senegalese – by cutting his throat with a knife, several 
others were badly injured and were brought to a hospital. Some of them 
are still in critical conditions. People talk about up to 3 more deaths 
which is not yet confirmed.
This is not the first time this summer that a larger group of Moroccans 
attacks migrants. In the night on the 20th of June an apartment of 
migrants was attacked after migrants were arguing with the landlord. 
Fire was set inside of the apartment and several people were injured 
after a fight. On the 15th of August, only two weeks ago, migrants and a 
spanish human rights activist were attacked when they were coming home 
from an African Festival in the city center. Women were harassed 
sexually. The police denied stopping the aggressors but let them 
continue and was even making threatening jokes towards the victims.
This Saturday after the killing, migrants gathered to do a demonstration 
and carry the body of the dead Senegalese into to citiy center to 
protest against this insupportable violence and to demand "liberty" and 
"human rights". But they were violentley stopped by the police. People 
reported police officers beating up migrants while Moroccans could 
attack migrants without being stopped by the police. Many people were 
injured and needed to be hospitalized (so far, we don’t have clear 
numbers).
In all three events aggressors could attack migrants, shouting racist 
slogans without the intervention of the police. Witnesses report that 
there were not only racist mobs acting but organized groups with 
leaders. Migrants talk about a raising racist and threatening climate in 
the quarter. They are afraid of leaving their homes. One migrant present 
at the events said: „It seems that they want to chase away all of us and 
at the same time the Moroccan goverment prevents us from leaving. We can 
not suffer this any longer. The world has to do something.“
Since Saturday evening the situation as calmed down a bit with a huge 
police presence everywhere in the streets.

No Border Morocco

(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL - Morocco: crackdown on activists for the rights of the Sahrawi people (fr, pt)

[machine translation]

Forbidden to enter Saharawi territory and unable to attend as an observer at the trial of 
Wafaa Sharaf activist February 20 Movement (sentenced to 1 year in prison), Michele 
Decaster, Secretary General & AFASPA active member of Exit Colonialism ended up with 2 
times arrested and held by the Moroccan authorities. ---- The latest attack took place on 
Wednesday, August 6 when she got off the plane to go visit Sahrawi friends. She was 
sequestered overnight before being released in the early morning (see the story of his 
abduction here ). Tireless human rights activist, she is persona non grata in Morocco. 
---- At a time when the anti-colonial struggle of the Palestinian people is at the heart 
of our commitment, "Our Friend The King" continues, in defiance of international 
decisions, violate the rights of the Saharawi people, refusing again and again to the 
referendum of self-determination demanded by the UN. As in Palestine, the Saharawi people 
is separated (refugee camps and occupied territories es) and prevented from communicating 
by a fortified wall of 2,700 km, Not content to continue its colonial policy, the Moroccan 
government criminalized the social movement, along he attacks international solidarity by 
attacking directly to a militant known for his activism. He tries by all means including 
intimidation, to impose a media blackout on this non-autonomous territory on which it has 
no international mandate or legal authority.

Throughout the country, the Moroccan state also locks all forms of social protest and 
continues to repress activists and Moroccan activists, as the case Bourker Khamlichi 
activist Democratic Way, detained for supporting the prisoner shows Wafaa Sharaf policy. 
Or, recently, the death of the student union and political prisoner Mustapha Meziani in 
hunger strike for 72 days.

The bidding will begin Does the special relationship between France and the United pillar 
of Fran?afrique? Unfortunately, it is doubtful.

Libertarian Alternative August 17, 2014

Video links to check out:
Alternative Libertaire le 17 ao?t 2014

Liens vid?o ? consulter :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxmcuMJ4nNg&feature=share
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hu5lTLlgTc

Morocco: Activists jailed for reporting torture must be released immediately

Human rights and political activist Wafae Charaf has been imprisoned after she reported she had been abducted and tortured in Morocco.

© Private.

“

No-one should be imprisoned for reporting torture and slander should not be a criminal offence. This conviction sends a chilling warning to anyone who has suffered torture, or any other ill-treatment, that they should keep quiet or risk ending up behind bars.

”

Said Boumedouha, Deputy Director at Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.

Two activists recently imprisoned after they reported they had been abducted and tortured must be released immediately and unconditionally, Amnesty International said.

Human rights and political activist Wafae Charaf was sentenced to a year in prison and a 1000 MAD fine (approximately USD 120) on Tuesday for allegedly falsely reporting being abducted and tortured by unknown persons in April this year.

The court also ordered her to pay 50,000 MAD (approximately USD 6,000) in compensation to Morocco’s police force for slander, although she did not accuse them.

“No-one should be imprisoned for reporting torture and slander should not be a criminal offence. This conviction sends a chilling warning to anyone who has suffered torture, or any other ill-treatment, that they should keep quiet or risk ending up behind bars,” said Said Boumedouha, Deputy Director at Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.

Wafae Charaf, a 26-year old left-wing political activist and member of the Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH), reported being abducted and tortured by unknown men for several hours after attending a workers’ protest in the city of Tangiers on 27 April 2014. She said the men beat her and threatened her with further violence if she did not stop her activism.

Three days later, after obtaining a medical certificate from the local hospital documenting light injuries, she filed a complaint with judicial authorities, prompting the Tangiers judicial police and the National Brigade for the Judicial Police (BNPJ) to investigate her allegations.

But on 8 July, before the investigation was concluded, Wafae Charaf was arrested, detained and charged with falsely reporting an offence and slander under Articles 263, 264 and 445 of the Penal Code.

After more than a month in pre-trial detention, she was convicted on all counts. A defence lawyer stated that the court refused to summon key witnesses, and failed to disclose phone tapping evidence which was key to the conviction, raising concerns that Wafae Charaf may have been unfairly tried, having been unable to challenge this evidence. She is currently detained in Tangiers Local Prison.

Second conviction 

Wafae Charaf’s sentencing came only weeks after a similar conviction against another activist.

On 23 July 2014, 22-year old Oussama Housne, also a member of AMDH in Casablanca, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for an alleged false torture report and slander. He was ordered to pay 100,000 MAD (approximately USD 12,000) in compensation to Morocco’s police force for slander. He is currently detained in Oukacha Local Prison in Casablanca.

He had reported being abducted and tortured by unknown individuals as he was leaving a protest in solidarity with detained activists on 2 May 2014. He said the men burned him with a heated metal rod and raped him with their fingers.

Three days later, human rights defenders from the local branch of the AMDH recorded a video of the activist describing the abuse to which he says he was subjected and posted it on YouTube, prompting the authorities to open an investigation led by the BNPJ.

On 1 June, the Crown Prosecutor closed the investigation and concluded that Housne had not been tortured and announced his intention to prosecute him. The activist was arrested the same day and charged for false reporting and slander under Articles 264 and 445 of the Penal Code.

Housne’s lawyer told Amnesty International that the court failed to summon key defence witnesses during the trial, raising concerns that he was unfairly convicted. Meanwhile, he was ordered to pay a high sum in compensation to Morocco’s police force, although his statements on Youtube only referred to unknown perpetrators.

The young man is also active within the 20 February peaceful protest movement that calls for greater respect for human rights, democratization, social justice and an end to corruption.

Both activists are appealing the convictions.

“These convictions will only strengthen the culture of impunity in Morocco. Torture will only be eradicated once victims can safely break the silence and perpetrators are brought to justice,” said Said Boumedouha.

Source : http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/morocco-activists-jailed-reporting-torture-must-be-released-immediately-2014-08-14

World : Marchers: Solidarity with migrant struggles in Morocco ...‏

...from this morning in the camp of the freedom-march in saarlouis and on the Route to Schengen coming sunday...
Best,
h.

Morocco, Rabat, Meeting on unemployed in North Africa (ca, fr)

The organizations in the Euro-Mediterranean Union Coordination want to show their
satisfaction with the success of the First Stops unemployed and North Africa held in Rabat
from 14 to 16 September 2012. ---- The National Association of unemployed graduates in
Morocco (ANDCM), the Tunisian Union of Unemployed (UDC), the National Committee on
Pre-employment (SNAPAP) have decided to strengthen their ties and establish a network to
strengthen their struggles. In the future it is expected that unemployed organizations in
other countries (Egypt, Mauritania, Palestine) to join this network. The presence of a
representative of associations of unemployed in France (MNCP, APEIS, AC) and will mark the
launch of a fully working internationalist.

We reaffirm our support for this important coordination internationalist movements of
unemployed workers and unemployed and the fight against unemployment, which are in a
global struggle for a society based on the satisfaction of collective needs of each
person. Continue to support physically, logistically and financially as far as we can to
these organizations.

Solidarity against repression remains a priority. This is the basis of our class and
internationalism is vital to fight against repression. We stay on alert and respond
requests from our comrades: news reporting, support and solidarity rallies, international
delegations .... Therefore, we reaffirm our full support for the ANDCM prisoners,
especially since Halim Halim El Bakkali Talaai having the trial on September 17, a fellow
of the UDC currently facing reactionary forces and the unemployed and unemployed who are
prosecuted in Algeria.

We support the implementation of joint actions between the unemployed and stops
organizations from different countries. There are already proposals on dates when events
are scheduled as December 1, important date for the unemployed / as in France and on May
16 for an international day of struggle against unemployment and job insecurity (in line
with what exists in Morocco since the assassination by the government of a militant
unemployed in 1993).

Organizations unemployed and stops on one side and the unions on the other, we are not in
competition. Our common objective is the defense of collective and individual rights and
create the conditions for social transformation of society. Thus, organizations belonging
to the Euro-Mediterranean Union Coordination warmly greet everyone participating in the
meeting and those who are involved in this fight and could not attend. We are fully
confident to continue supporting and working together.

Member organizations of the Euro-Mediterranean Coordinator present at the meeting in Rabat:
ANDCM (Morocco),
CGT (Spanish State),
CNT-F (France),
Solidaires (France),
SNAPAP (Algeria),
VD union committee (Morocco)
Collaboration: LDS Vaud (Switzerland).

Bron : a-infos-en@ainfos.ca

Spain and Morocco evict illegal migrants from islet

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/spain-police-evict-moroccan-immigrants-islet-081250679.html


Spanish and Moroccan security forces launched a night operation lasting into the early hours on Tuesday to evict 73 illegal migrants from a tiny islet just off Morocco, officials said.

Spain's Guardia Civil police acted after scores of African migrants landed in the past week on the bare, rocky surface of Isla de Tierra, Spanish sovereign territory about the size of two football pitches, which lies an easy swim off the beach.
Ten women and children were taken off the islet to the Spanish territory of Melilla. "The others were removed at dawn," a spokesman for the Guardia Civil said, adding the operation was carried out "jointly" by Spain and Morocco "without any incident."
"We removed (the migrants) from the island because it was dangerous for them to stay there," he added.
Since the uninhabited rock is Spanish, Madrid feared it could open a new doorway to migrants, many of them fleeing poverty and unrest, who are desperate to reach Europe.
A Spanish interior ministry spokesman said the Guardia Civil evicted the migrants when sea conditions had calmed, and that the operation was completed at 4.30 am (0230 GMT).
"Many of the immigrants did not want to go Morocco, but there was no need to use force nor any troubles," the spokesman said.
By early afternoon on Tuesday, there were no traces of the emergency intervention, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.
Beyond the last summer holiday-makers, just two Moroccan policemen were posted on the beach, while the low tide made the island reachable by foot.
Melilla and Ceuta are two tiny Spanish enclaves in Morocco, the only land frontier between Africa and Europe.
Rabat considers the territories, held by Spain since 1580 and 1496, to be "occupied". Madrid refuses any discussion on the subject, which regularly poisons relations between the two nations.
But bilateral cooperation, especially over the problem of immigration, is unavoidable, as the interior ministry spokesman acknowledged.
"The eviction was handled entirely by the Guardia Civil but obviously together with Morocco because the Guardia Civil handed the immigrants over to their Moroccan counterparts," he said.
"The object is not so much to have to act like this but to avoid more immigrants arriving on Spanish rocks," he said.
Photographs in the online editions of Spanish dailies El Pais and El Mundo showed Guardia Civil apparently ferrying the immigrants to land by dinghy.
Migrants, some in handcuffs, were shown in the hands of police as they waded the final few metres (yards) to the beach to waiting Moroccan security forces.
In Rabat, Moroccan authorities said two migrants had been lightly injured in the operation.
A Moroccan security official said some 70 sub-Saharan migrants had been sent back to Morocco and "taken charge of" by the security forces.
According to the official, the migrants had crossed into Morocco from Algeria and would be expelled.
The stakes are high for Spain and the European Union, with African migrants frequently trying to enter Ceuta and Melilla by force.
On Monday, the Moroccan authorities expelled some 200 sub-Saharans from the country, most of them in the northern towns of Tetouan and Nador, close to the two Spanish territories, in a swoop on illegal immigrants.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said earlier on Monday that he was convinced the arrival of the migrants on the Spanish islet was coordinated by "mafia who traffic human beings".
"The joint response of the Spanish and Moroccan governments, and the European Union, is to say 'That's enough' to those who traffic human beings, endangering the lives of the most vulnerable like pregnant women and young children," the Spanish prefect in Melilla, Abdelmalik El Barkani, told Spanish public radio.
Senior Spanish and Moroccan officials are due to attend an interparliamentary forum in Rabat on Wednesday, with migration expected to top the agenda.

Bron : action2-l-bounces@mx.kein.org

The Global Day of Action for the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Displaced people‏

Dear All
The Global Day of Action for the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Displaced people:

Bron :

http://globalmigrantsaction.org/

Bak, Conseil des Migrants in Morocco



Hello
The refugees in Morocco sign the call and support the organisation and the protest on september.
We have to rise up against all law against welfare of people.
A refugee or an asylum-seeker is not a dog or parrot to be enclosed in a camp.
Liberty of movement!
Bak