Aminatou Haidar and Nonviolent Activism in Western Sahara

The Western Sahara - otherwise known as the forgotten occupied territory - doesn't make the news headlines much. But for a good backgrounder on the conflict, we recommend a recent report on nonviolent activism inside the Western Sahara. Aside from a brief historical overview, the paper cites the role of Aminatou Haidar, otherwise known as the "Sahrawi Ghandi." Check it out:

Haidar, a charismatic mother of two who has spent years in Moroccan prisons, is known as the "Sahrawi Gandhi" by many Sahrawis. Haidar is outspoken in her insistence that the Sahrawi struggle use nonviolent methods and has declared publicly that she harbors no ill will towards Moroccans. Since she was first imprisoned in 1987 after leading a women's-led nonviolent protest against the Moroccan occupation, she has developed close relations with international media and human rights organizations. Haidar's release from prison, which was helped by an international solidarity movement that coalesced around her cause, was met with a massive display of of Polisario flags...

As a woman and mother of two children who has endured terrible treatment as a political prisoner inside Moroccan prisons, Aminatou Haidar became a local and international icon. After she was re-arrested in June 2005, an international movement was founded on her behalf, which succeeded in collecting thousands of signatures calling for her release. Aminatou was nominated for the prestigious Sakharvov prize by the European Parliament last year and won the Juan Brandeis award given by the Spanish Association for Refugees and Human Rights. She was finally released from the "black prison" in Al-Ayoun on 17 January 2006 amidst terrific local and international fanfare. Sahrawis from throughout the occupied territory and Southern Morocco traveled to Al-Ayoun for a large celebration when she was released. During the celebration, Aminatou gave a speech demanding self-determination and independence for Western Sahara.

A longer bio on Haidar can be found here.

Comments

[Sahara Views]

One of the latest news on the conflict: www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N17255621.htm

[Will]

Aminatou Haidar is certainly a great woman. She has succeeded despite Moroccan imprisonment. She demonstrates that in a Middle East-North Africa dominated by violence, the Sahrawis are focused on non-violence.

[alle]

Props for bringing up this forgotten conflict, which has proved once and for all that non-violence counts for absolutely nothing in the eyes of the West, rhetoric in the Isra-Pal issue notwithstanding. Appears as if Polisario activists are about to draw the conclusions from this now, with the movement slowly splintering and radicalizing.

But, well, keep talking about it, and maybe it won't explode after all.

[Laura Roldan]

This brave and courageous woman is the symbol of the struggle of the peaceful people of Western Sahara. Mrs. Haidar represents the will of freedom and independence of the people of the last colony in the african continent. If Mr. Obama has won the election in the USA, the Saharawis will will sooner or later.

[salama]

all these great comments they left me nothing to say, because they just said it all. VIVA POLISARIO.

[Ray]

Aminatou Haidar and Nonviolent Activism in Western Sahara

The Western Sahara - otherwise known as the forgotten occupied territory - doesn't make the news headlines much. But for a good backgrounder on the conflict, we recommend a recent report on nonviolent activism inside the Western Sahara. Aside from a brief historical overview, the paper cites the role of Aminatou Haidar, otherwise known as the "Sahrawi Ghandi." Check it out:

Haidar, a charismatic mother of two who has spent years in Moroccan prisons, is known as the "Sahrawi Gandhi" by many Sahrawis. Haidar is outspoken in her insistence that the Sahrawi struggle use nonviolent methods and has declared publicly that she harbors no ill will towards Moroccans. Since she was first imprisoned in 1987 after leading a women's-led nonviolent protest against the Moroccan occupation, she has developed close relations with international media and human rights organizations. Haidar's release from prison, which was helped by an international solidarity movement that coalesced around her cause, was met with a massive display of of Polisario flags...

As a woman and mother of two children who has endured terrible treatment as a political prisoner inside Moroccan prisons, Aminatou Haidar became a local and international icon. After she was re-arrested in June 2005, an international movement was founded on her behalf, which succeeded in collecting thousands of signatures calling for her release. Aminatou was nominated for the prestigious Sakharvov prize by the European Parliament last year and won the Juan Brandeis award given by the Spanish Association for Refugees and Human Rights. She was finally released from the "black prison" in Al-Ayoun on 17 January 2006 amidst terrific local and international fanfare. Sahrawis from throughout the occupied territory and Southern Morocco traveled to Al-Ayoun for a large celebration when she was released. During the celebration, Aminatou gave a speech demanding self-determination and independence for Western Sahara.

A longer bio on Haidar can be found here.

[Ray]

AMINATOU IS THE SYMBOL OF WESTERN SAHARA AND NON-VIOLENT SHE IS TRYING TO PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT THE SAHRAOUIS EXIST AND NEED THEIR FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE TO THEIR COUNTRY.

COURAGE AMINATOU THE JUSTICE WILL PAY ONE DAY OR ANOTHER

RAY

[hammadi]

Aminatu Haidar = hypocrite
she is Moroccan when it come to benefits she got over 60000 dollar from Morocco .

[Penis Enlargement]

I really agree with the facts that you have shared on this post. An interesting topic like this really enhances reader's mind to have more effective decisions over a certain issue.

[Generic Cialis]

Hola,
Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.
espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[Edison]

Clausewitz wrote that war is a continuation of politics by other means.

[air jordans]

What makes the private gathering particularly unusual is that it united not only activists from a range of political ideologies, but also from the external and internal opposition.

[Generic Viagra]

Please one more post about that.I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your Blog is so perfect

[wholesale hats]

There are some cases when you may be able to create a better atmosphere for your business just by changing things up. I recently decided that an interior fit out was called for within my business.

[ファロム]

Hey, Great post **

[chi flat iron]

i l ike thes tips , it is so good.. hah chi digital flat iron

[Baseball Hats]

Wholesale New Era Hats
Thanks for your kind informtion and sharing with us….

[wholesale new era hats]

Thanks for your kind informtion and sharing with us….
I hope the world are going full of loves!
http://www.cheaphatssale.com

[Generic Viagra]

Hola amigo, este es uno de los mejores blogs que he visto, que puede incluir algunas ideas más en el mismo tema. Todavía estoy esperando algunas ideas interesantes de su lado en el próximo post.!@!

[Regestrone]

Hola,Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[Networking solutions]

There are may person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post,

[Medical coding and billing]

I agree with you. This post is truly inspirational. I like your post and all you share with us is up to date and quite informative, i would like to bookmark the page so i can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job......

Medical coding and billing

[Seo Services India]

Això és realment interessant, ets un blogger molt hàbil. M'he unit a la seva alimentació i esperem que busquen més del seu missatge meravellós. A més, he compartit el seu lloc en els meus xarxes socials !

[Generic Viagra]

I think you are right when you say this. Hats off man, what a superlative knowledge you have on this subject…hope to see more work of yours.

[yiwu]

For over 8 years I practice daily reading, I love to read blogs or articles like this, with issues of public concern and a very effective and accurate information. I would say goodbye by making clear that section is spectacular and I would like to receive much more information.