Morocco’s Expulsion of Italian Journalists in Western Sahara Draws Global Outcry

April 28, 2025 -Morocco/Italy –

The recent expulsion of two Italian journalists from Western Sahara by Moroccan authorities has sparked international criticism and renewed debate over press freedom in the disputed territory. According to multiple reports, journalists from the Italian outlets Il Manifesto and RaiNews were detained on April 25 in Laayoune, Western Sahara’s largest city, while preparing to report on the ongoing conflict and human rights situation in the region.

The journalists, who had been invited by local Sahrawi human rights organizations, were reportedly questioned for several hours before being deported without clear explanation. Moroccan officials claimed they were in the territory without proper accreditation and posed a threat to public order. However, media freedom organizations and international observers have decried the expulsions as politically motivated acts aimed at silencing critical coverage of the Moroccan administration in Western Sahara.

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a self-proclaimed state advocating for Western Sahara’s independence, condemned the move as a blatant violation of international law and freedom of the press. In a statement, SADR authorities accused Morocco of attempting to hide its continued repression of Sahrawi activists and journalists, particularly those documenting alleged abuses against pro-independence civilians.

This incident has caught the attention of international legal bodies and press freedom advocates. The organization Jurist, citing human rights standards, expressed concern that such expulsions may represent a breach of international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Morocco is a signatory. Legal scholars emphasized that freedom of information, particularly in conflict zones, is a cornerstone of accountability and transparency.

These expulsions are not isolated. Morocco has previously barred or deported journalists and observers perceived as sympathetic to the Sahrawi cause. The broader context includes increasing restrictions on local Sahrawi reporters, surveillance, and prosecution under vague charges of inciting separatism.

International media watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have called for Morocco to allow unfettered press access to Western Sahara and to ensure that journalists can work without fear of retaliation or censorship.

Reference – 

https://www.spsrasd.info/en/2025/04/28/9303.html

https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/05/morocco-deportation-of-italian-journalists-in-western-sahara-spurs-international-concern/

https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/164985/morocco-expels-italian-journalists-attempting.html