Finally, the Sahrawi Naama Asfari has got a date for the treatment of his appeal case. On 16 November, he will again be before a court, almost three months after he was convicted to a four month imprisonment.
Asfari was convicted by a Moroccan court on 27 August for carrying a keyring with the Sahrawi flag .
The organisation Human Rights Watch criticised the August process. Accusations from Asfari that he had been subjected to police violence was never investigated. It is far from sure that this case will proceed in any better manner.
On phone from his prison cell in Morocco this afternoon, he asks the Norwegian Support Committe to convey the message that he and his Sahrawi fellow political prisoners need international presence during the court processes.
"It is only through international presence that there is a tiny chance for us Sahrawis in the Moroccan court system. By attending our trials, observers can also experience the total lack of justice we are victims of. The entire law system is chaped to discriminate the Sahrawis and our political opinions", said Asfari to the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara.
He is himself disappointed over waiting so long for his appeal case, and said is is a violation of Morocco's international obligations to execute speedy law processes.
Asfari is married to a French, and has spent several periods in Moroccan jails. See also former stories about Asfari's prison terms and the abuse he has been subjected to.
UN body calls for the release of imprisoned Saharawi student
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Norwegians deported from occupied Western Sahara - wanted to learn about renewable energy
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UN committee highlights Moroccan impunity in occupied Western Sahara
Sahrawi civil society welcomes a new report from the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearance, and urges exhumations and identification of victims in the Morocco-occupied Western Sahara.