New footage and photos have come out showing the injuries suffered by the ‘Oxford six’ Saharawi students arrested last Wednesday by Moroccan police. They were stopped at the airport and prevented from boarding their plane, despite having all the necessary documents, including British visas. They then started a sit-in protest and refused to eat.

After 30 hours, during which the ‘Oxford six’ attracted considerable media attention, the Moroccan authorities forcibly removed them from the airport. They were bundled into a car, and driven in a police convoy to Gulmime, a city about 200 km south of Agadir, and then on to Layounne.

The three young women and three young men, aged 17 – 24, were beaten, kicked in the head and stomach during their ordeal. The police stormed the home of one of the students where all students originally arrived. That student’s mother sustained a head injury in the process. The house was surrounded by the police and those leaving the address are quizzed on their intentions.

Meanwhile, on the ground in Oxford the students are further motivated in their work. The conflict resolution course content has been altered in the light of recent events. The non-violent communication section of the course has been brought forward as the students are keen to engage in the issues at hand.

James McDougall, from the School of African and Oriental Studies in London, today came and discussed the historical and political background on Western Sahara. The participants engaged at length with the academic, asking questions about the situation in Western Sahara.

For further information check Talk Together’s website for background on the project, or for update check the blog . For additional information, logos, images and footage from the event, contact Melissa Mehta on 07772 488373 or  Melissa@TalkTogether.info . Visits to the course, which runs August 6 – 18 at St Edward’s School, Oxford, are available on request.

For the latest in the campaign for Western Sahara sign up to the network at www.freesahara.ning.com

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