Aminatou Haidar, right. (Photo Courtesy Saharauiak)

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights (RFK Center) strongly condemns the detention of 2008 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Laureate, Aminatou Haidar, by Moroccan authorities today upon her arrival at the airport in Laayoune, Western Sahara.

Ms. Haidar returned to Western Sahara today after a visit to the United States to receive the Civil Courage Prize awarded by the Train Foundation for her courageous defense of the rights and liberties of the Sahrawi people.  While in the U.S., she briefed Congressional staff members on the current state of human rights in Western Sahara.  She also met with representatives of UN member states.  Ms. Haidar traveled to Western Sahara escorted by associates from Spain, who have reportedly been detained along with her.

RFK Center believes the detention of Ms. Haidar is directly related to her work in the defense of human rights.

RFK Center urges the authorities in Morocco to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Aminatou Haidar;

2. Take all necessary measures to guarantee her physical and psychological integrity;

3  Guarantee the protection of her fundamental human rights, as enshrined in several international instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Morocco has ratified; and

4. Guarantee that Ms. Haidar is able to continue her work as a human rights defender without fear of reprisal.