September 21, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1647 

have declined despite the adoption of a new 

charter proposed by the ruling monarchy last 

year at the height of street protests,’’ once 

again call that reputation into question. 

ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER DELEGATION TO

MOROCCAN-CONTROLLED WESTERN SAHARA

AND SAHRAWI REFUGEE CAMPS IN ALGERIA— 

SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

On Friday, August 31, 2012 an international 

delegation of the Robert F. Kennedy Center 

for Justice and Human Rights (RFK Center) 

concluded a visit to evaluate the human 

rights situation in Moroccan-controlled 

Western Sahara and the Sahrawi refugee 

camps near Tindouf, Algeria. The RFK Center delegation met with victims of human 

rights violations, a broad range of representatives of civil society, representatives of the 

international community, and government 

officials. The delegation also noticed that 

the conflict stalemate has a serious impact 

on the rights of the Sahrawi population in 

both Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara 

and refugee camps. 

MOROCCAN-CONTROLLED WESTERN SAHARA

Though the Moroccan Constitution now incorporates advances that include the criminalization of torture, arbitrary detention, 

and forced disappearances, the delegation observed the need for increased implementation of these changes. In spite of these guarantees, these freedoms are often undermined 

by the King’s authority as the ‘‘guarantor of 

the independence of the Nation and the territorial integrity.’’ In conjunction with article 

3 of the Moroccan Law of Associations, these 

provisions have led to the prohibition of associations of certain groups and individuals 

such as those Sahrawi advocating for the 

right to self-determination of Western Sahara. 

Large Police and Military Presence in Capital City of El-Ayoun: Most Sahrawi interviewed expressed concern about the uniformed and plain-clothed police and military 

personnel posted on almost every corner. 

Sahrawi who were not pro-Moroccan reported that they were followed and verbally 

abused in the streets by police. The RFK 

Center delegation was under surveillance by 

security officers for the duration of their 

time in El-Ayoun. 

Police and State Brutality: Characteristic 

of the situation, the RFK Center delegation 

witnessed firsthand a police attack on a 

peaceful demonstrator. One uniformed police 

officer and three State agents attacked the 

woman who subsequently needed medical attention. Moroccan government dismissed the 

delegation’s report of the incident, and instead attempted to discredit it. Two of the 

State agents involved in the beating (Mohammed Al Hasouni and Mohamed Natichi) 

were described as human rights violators in 

reports by other victims interviewed. The 

delegation heard innumerous reports of nonviolent protestors who were detained and 

tortured for participating in peaceful demonstrations. Other cases included: 1) police 

brutally beat a mentally disabled man who 

was involved in demonstrations in 2005, 2008, 

and 2012. 2) The emblematic case of Said 

Dambar, a 26 year-old man who was shot and 

killed by a Moroccan police officer after 

being beaten in 2010. His family still waits 

for an autopsy, a murder investigation, and 

to learn the whereabouts of this body. 

Nearly absolute impunity for human rights 

violations: In spite of the numerous denunciations of cases of torture received by the 

delegation, the Prosecutor of First Instance 

in El-Ayoun informed the delegation that, 

over the past five years, only one state agent 

was successfully prosecuted for committing 

an act of torture. 

Violation of the Sahrawi people’s rights to 

freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, 

and freedom of association: 

The delegation met with representatives of 

a group of seven people criminally prosecuted under spurious charges for expressing 

their opinions. The group was arrested and 

charged with treason upon their arrival in 

Morocco after criticizing the Moroccan government from Algeria. The group was imprisoned and is now on provisional release, pending a final decision. 

Pro-independence Sahrawi human rights 

groups are barred from registering and are 

deemed illegal to register as civil society organizations. Registration is essential for allowing the organizations to effectively advocate in their communities. Notably, The Collective of Saluawi Human Rights Defenders 

(CODESA), Moroccan Association of Human 

Rights (AMDH) El-Ayoun Chapter, and the 

Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave 

Human Rights Violations Committed by the 

Moroccan State El-Ayoun, Western Sahara 

(ASVDH). 

Assaults, threats, illegal searches, surveillance, and criminal prosecutions by highlevel authorities designed to discredit and 

stigmatize the work of human rights defenders and attorneys who represent victims of 

human rights abuses (e.g., RFK Human 

Rights Award laureate Aminatou Haidar). 

Concerns of retaliation against those who 

met with the RFK Center delegation. 

SAHRAWI REFUGEE CAMPS—THE SAHARA

DESERT

The RFK Center delegation did not observe 

any restriction on the freedom of movement 

or association. 

Basic Needs—There are concerns regarding: food ration quality, quantity, and variation; exposure to extreme heat (which can 

reach 115 degrees); limited electricity; need 

for permanent housing; and limited sanitation. 

The camps house over 100,000 people and 

have been in existence for 37 years in harsh 

physical and psychological situation that 

put at risk their well-being. 

PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Moroccan government should: 

Immediately stop the harassment, violence, persecution, and intimidation of proindependence Sahrawi people; 

Investigate, prosecute, and punish those 

involved in past and present human rights 

violations; 

Immediately suspend government agents 

under investigation for human rights violations and establish an effective vetting program; 

Ensure effective access to due process and 

judicial guarantee, without discrimination, 

and regardless of political positions; 

Release prisoners falsely accused of committing a crime, while exercising their right 

to freedom of expression and association. 

2. The U.S. government should support the 

inclusion of a permanent human rights monitoring and reporting mandate to the UN 

Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). 

3. The international community should encourage further negotiations to guarantee 

the fulfillment of the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people as established in several UN resolutions and in the 

decision of the International Court of Justice. 

HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUMMIT ROAD AT THE 

SCOTTS BLUFF NATIONAL MONUMENT 

HON. ADRIAN SMITH OF NEBRASKA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to honor the seventy-fifth anniversary of 

the Summit Road at the Scotts Bluff National 

Monument. The road opened on September 

19, 1937 after four years of work. Efforts to 

design and build the road continue to allow 

Nebraskans and Americans from across the 

country to enjoy one of the most spectacular 

views in our nation. 

Today we celebrate not only the achievement of building the Summit Road, but also 

the beauty and historic significance of this National Monument. 

Scotts Bluff served as an important landmark for Americans as they moved West during the Nineteenth Century. Pioneers often 

faced extreme hardship travelling to and settling new lands. They risked everything to give 

their families a better life, and laid the foundation for the Good Life Nebraskans cherish. 

I hope all of my colleagues will join me in 

celebrating the Scotts Bluff National Monument on this important anniversary. 

f 

OUR UNCONSCIONABLE NATIONAL 

DEBT 

HON. MIKE COFFMAN OF COLORADO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, 

on January 20, 2009, the day President 

Obama took office; the national debt was 

$10,626,877,048,913.08. 

Today, it is $16,014,424,023,771.68. We’ve 

added $5,387,546,974,858.60 dollars to our 

debt in 3.5 years. This is $5.4 trillion in debt 

our nation, our economy, and our children 

could have avoided with a balanced budget 

amendment. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE GIRL SCOUT 

COUNCIL OF THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND THE GIRL SCOUTS 

OF THE USA ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY 

HON. JEFF MILLER OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to recognize the Girl Scout Council of 

the Florida Panhandle and the Girl Scouts of 

the USA on the occasion of their 100th anniversary. 

Over the last century, the Girl Scouts of the 

USA has been committed to service and empowering America’s youth. Today, this organization continues to bestow in young girls the 

courage, confidence, and character necessary 

for success in life. They afford young girls the 

opportunity to grow and develop physically, 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS