AMINATOU HAIDAR RETURNS HOME

Wonderful news: After a 32-day hunger strike, 2008 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Laureate Aminatou Haidar finally left the Canary Islands and returned to her home and family in Western Sahara today.
 
The RFK Center had been advocating for Aminatou's right to return to her homeland since November 14 when she was expelled from Western Sahara by Morocco. We called upon leaders in Morocco, Spain, France, the United States, and the United Nations to intervene to help bring her back to Western Sahara. The RFK Center had staff on the ground in the Canary Islands at Aminatou's side throughout the hunger strike.

RFK Center supporters took action on Aminatou's behalf, also making a real difference. Hundreds of people called on U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay to speak out, and she responded, issuing a statement on December 8 calling on Morocco to recognize Aminatou's "right to return." U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon also took up Aminatou's cause.
 
Aminatou's return is a victory for human rights defenders all over the world.

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December 15, 2009

Today marks the 30th day of Aminatou Haidar's hunger strike. The 2008 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Laureate has still not been returned to her home in Western Sahara to reunite with her family after being forced on a plane against her will and sent to the Canary Islands.

During the 30 days of her hunger strike, she has been living in an airport terminal. She has gotten as far as being put on a plane to head back, but the government of Morocco refused to allow her to return. Though her strike has taken a toll on her physically, she remains resolute.

Your actions are making a difference. Hundreds of you called on United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay to speak out on Aminatou's behalf, and she responded, issuing a statement on December 8 calling on Morocco to recognize Aminatou's "right to return." Since then UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has taken up Aminatou's cause, reaching out to both Morocco and Spain.

RFK Center staff has been on the ground in the Canary Islands with Aminatou, and working around the clock to urge leaders in Morocco, Spain, the UN and the United States to help bring her home to her children. We moved U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and numerous members of Congress to take private actions and make public statements on her behalf.

On December 2nd our Advocacy Director, Marselha Gonçalves Margerin, interviewed Aminatou about her struggle, and I wanted to share the video.

We thank you for your continued solidarity. With your support, RFK Center will continue to push until Aminatou has returned safely to Western Sahara.

Sincerely,

Monika Kalra Varma, Director
RFK Center for Human Rights

Video Interview with Aminatou Haidar