Cairo October 18, 2012

ANHRI denounces the assault of the group of Salafis on “Sun Picture”, a an Amazigh inscriptions dated to about 8 thousand years in “Iakour”. As the Salafists said it represents paganism and must be disposed. ANHRI also announces its solidarity with “El-Hussein El-Zawi” a Sahrawi political prisoner who began hunger strike today as a result of the deterioration of his health and his being infected by kidney diseases.

Seven members belonging to the Salafi group in a car, have committed sabotage actions against one of the main culture symbols of Amazigh “Sun Picture” dating to about 8 thousand years. They have used iron rods to sabotage these historical inscriptions which is a masterpiece at the international level and reflect the ancient religions of the Amazigh, who lived in Morocco, thousands of years ago.

ANHRI also announces its full solidarity with “El-Hussein El-Zawi” the detainee which began the hunger strike today, due to his deteriorating health and the failure of the prison of “Sela 2” to make the necessary medical examinations and examine him to receive the treatment which is a clear violation of the international charters and laws and. He was arrested on December 3, 2010 by the Moroccan special security forces.

ANHRI said that “the Moroccan authorities have to do their utmost efforts to protect the cultural heritage of other religions and all spectrum of the Moroccan people. Its should not deal with their cultural heritage and inscriptions as simply a ” rock “. It should work to protect the freedom of belief and freedom of thought. It should enable its citizens to practice their religion in a secure environment and meet the aspirations of the modern democratic state that respects all the Moroccan people in all forms of cultural heritage. “

ANHRI mentioned that “Moroccan authorities must release all Sahrawi political detainees in prisons of Morocco and investigate the torture they have suffered”. ANHRI said that “the complete absence of any indications to the intention of the Moroccan authorities to amend its suppressive policies against the practice of Sahrawi citizens against freedom of opinion and expression and the right to demonstrate peacefully, requires from the international community to intervene to practice pressure on the Moroccan regime to contain the crisis of El-Eion people and implement their just and legitimate demands as well as opening a dialogue between them and the Moroccan authorities”. “