In his answer to a question raised by Senator Hanson-Young regarding Western Sahara, on 16 October 2008, the Australian Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary said that “the Australian Government’s policy reflects its strong support for the efforts of the United Nations, and of the relevant parties—the Government of Morocco, and the Polisario Front—to press ahead to find an enduring settlement in relation to Western Sahara”.
Australia “believes that the people of Western Sahara must have a fair opportunity to determine their own future”, he indicated.
He recalled that the UN Security Council again welcomed the progress made by the parties to enter into direct negotiations in its resolution 1813 of 30 April 2008. The Australian Government endorses the spirit and the substance of these resolutions, he said.
He also recalled that his government is aware of the human rights violations, commited by the Moroccan State against the people of Western Sahara, stressing that Australia “gives a high priority to the protection of human rights, and calls on both parties to uphold international human rights standards”.
The Government affirms its strong support for UN efforts to find a durable solution to the «Western» «Sahara conflict acceptable to both parties.
Read full text of the question and answer:
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16 October 2008
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: ADDITIONAL ANSWERS - Western Sahara
Senator FAULKNER (New South Wales) (Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary) (3:03 PM) —I seek leave to incorporate some information in response to a question that I was asked yesterday, also as the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by Senator Hanson-Young regarding
Western» «Sahara».
Leave granted.
The speech read as follows—
Would the Minister outline the government’s position on the question of «Western» «Sahara», specifically on the right of the people of «Western» «Sahara» to self- determination, given that back in 2002 as shadow foreign minister the Prime Minister stated that the people of «Western» «Sahara» must have a fair opportunity to determine their own future? Just to remind the Minister, I will read from a press release from Mr Rudd dated 30 July 2002: "It is time the UN acted and gave the Saharawis a fair opportunity to determine their own future."
[Supplementary question] It was my understanding that this was actually Labor Party policy. Could I have it clarified whether the Labor Party have changed
their policy position on «Western» «Sahara»? In asking the Minister for details in terms of what the government are doing in relation to «Western» «Sahara»,
could we have an explanation as to whether the government have made representations to the Moroccan government regarding the systematic violations
of human rights in the occupied areas of «Western» «Sahara», as well as asking for cooperation with the United Nations in its efforts to organise a referendum
of self determination for the Saharawi people in accordance with UN resolutions and the verdict of the International Court of Justice?.
The Australian Government’s policy reflects its strong support for the efforts of the United Nations, and of the relevant parties—the Government of Morocco, and the Polisario Front—to press ahead to find an enduring settlement in relation to «Western» «Sahara».
The Government believes that the people of «Western» «Sahara» must have a fair opportunity to determine their own future. The UN process currently underway provides that opportunity.
I take the opportunity to update the Chamber on recent UN efforts on this important question.
In his report of 14 April 2008 on «Western» «Sahara», the UN Secretary-General welcomed the parties’ commitment to continuing negotiations commenced in 2007.
For many years, the UN focused on achieving agreement between the parties on the terms of a referendum on independence in the «Western» «Sahara».
Efforts are now focused on negotiations.
This new phase of international efforts to resolve the conflict began with the presentation of proposals by both parties—the Government of Morocco, and the Polisario Front—to the UN Secretary-General in April 2007.
That same month, UN Security Council Resolution 1754 took note of the proposals, and called upon the parties to enter into negotiations ‘without
preconditions and in good faith’ and stated the clear objective of such negotiations was to achieve ‘a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political
solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of «Western» «Sahara»‘.
UNSCR 1813 of 30 April 2008 again welcomed the progress made by the parties to enter into direct negotiations.
The Australian Government endorses the spirit and the substance of these resolutions. It supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and the UN to improve the security and humanitarian situation of the people of «Western» «Sahara».
The Government is aware of allegations of human rights violations with respect to «Western» «Sahara» and Western Saharans, which have been raised by both relevant parties.
The Government gives a high priority to the protection of human rights, and calls on both parties to uphold international human rights standards.
We are in active consultation with other countries concerning human rights in «Western» «Sahara».
There is no doubt that the peace negotiations are still very difficult.
The Government affirms its strong support for UN efforts to find a durable solution to the «Western» «Sahara conflict acceptable to both parties.
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