"Political surveillance and repression are part of the routine for people living in the occupied Western Sahara. As a result, the young generation is increasingly losing hope in finding a peaceful solution".

The Rafto Foundation met with Elkouria Rabab Amidane (23) at the Rafto Human Rights House during her visit to Bergen on 5 March 2009. 

Human rights activists met with violence
In spite of various UN resolutions requiring an end to the illegal occupation of Western Sahara, little has happened. The planned referendum on the legal status of Western Sahara has been postponed 18 years in a row, and Saharawis tireless advocating for their basic rights involves huge risks and sacrifices.

Activists are excluded from jobs, and students are put in jail for their opinions. Peaceful demonstrations are met with violence, and rape is regularly used by the police to prevent women from participating in pro-Saharawi activities.

Elkouria Rabab Amidane sees random police arrests and torture as a measure to break the spirit of the young generation. This is why many are now starting to view armed struggle as the only possible solution, after years of peaceful activities has changed little.

"Violence is alien to our culture," says Amidane, "but people prefer to be killed with their dignity, rather than being tortured and humiliated."

Morocco – United States
The political situation, with Morocco as a close ally of the United States, makes the prospects for a political solution look dim. Many countries, including the European Union are also benefitting economically from the rich fish resources in Western Sahara. Common economic interests may indicate why many countries are reluctant to put pressure on Morocco.

American and Moroccan companies are searching for oil in the Western Saharan maritime areas. A potential finding here would make Saharawian sovereignty even more far fetched.

"The extraction of natural resources is not benefitting the Saharawi people. To increase the political awareness of both the companies and public opinion would help our cause," states Amidane. "Ultimately, finding a political solution is the only path to peace and security for people living in the Western Sahara area," she explains further.

Struggle for self-determination
As a university student Elkouria Rabab Amidane has been involved in the peaceful struggle for self-determination for Saharawis living under Moroccan occupation since she became aware of the issues at the age of 19. Attending peaceful demonstrations, arranging seminars and documenting human rights violations through the internet has caused the police to arrest her and members of her family on various occasions.

"In this situation the Students' Peace Prize gives inspiration to me and our people," claims the 2009 Student Peace Prize Laureate.

Pressure on national governments
Human rights organisations all over the world, including in Morocco, have been supporting the Saharawis rights to freedom of expression and self-determination. So far it has not led to any political changes. Putting pressure on national governments to recognise Western Sahara, forcing Morocco to obey international law and condemning political oppression remains crucial. International human rights organisations as well as political youth parties play an important role in this regard.

Children beaten up
Strengthening international as well as local awareness on Western Saharan issues constitutes an important part of Elkouria Rabab Amidane's work. 

"Our history books are full of actual falsifications on what took place when Western Sahara ceased to be a Spanish colony and was divided between the neighbouring countries in 1976. Children don't learn our history at school. Still many feel different, as I did when my teachers used to laugh at my language," tells Amidane.

Not until she was a young adult did she learn about the political structures in which she was involved.

"After the resurgence of demonstrations and resistance in 2005 many young people became aware of our political history. Now even children playing arrange their own demonstrations. This led to a tragic incidence when a Swedish journalist filmed one of these child-demonstrations. The police arrested him, and used his film to identify the children. The 10-11 years old kids were held several days at the police station, where they were beaten up. This another of a catalogue of grave human rights violations suffered by the Saharawi population," states Amidane.

She adds an Saharawi saying that goes: "Every child is born in a country, except the Saharawi. They have their country born in them."

Solution demands cooperation
Elkouria Rabab Amidane makes clear that the Saharawis are not the only ones suffering human rights violations by the Moroccan government. The Moroccan people are also denied basic rights and she emphasises that their struggles should be fought with joined forces. As a swift solution seems to be far off, she finds inspiration in the continuing struggle of the Palestinians. The Students' Peace Prize also gives opportunities for creating international attention, and reminding her people that peaceful measures can still be of great value.

The population of Western Sahara
The population of Western Sahara was estimated to be 393,831 as of July 2008 (CIA World Factbook, "Western Sahara"), a majority of whom are Moroccans who moved to the region since the territory came under Moroccan control. These figures exclude refugees in neighbouring Algeria.

Companies operating in Western Sahara
For an overview of international and Norwegian companies operating in Western Sahara, see www.vest-sahara.no and www.norwatch.no

Background Rafto – Western Sahara
The 2002 Rafto Prize was awarded to Sidi Mohammed Daddach from Western Sahara. Since then Western Sahara has been one of the Rafto Foundation's follow up countries.