Human Rights Violations in Western Sahara is denounced

The participants to the international conference, held on December 13-14, 2008 in the Spanish city of Malaga, strongly denounced the human rights’ violations committed by the Moroccan State in Western Sahara. The Saharawi population is continuously deprived of most of their basic civil rights, such as the freedom of expression, meeting, association, the freedom of movement and physical integrity, POLISARIO Front’s representative, Bucharaya Beyoun, said in his intervention in the conference. Beyoun, said that these violations are committed in front of the eyes of the international community, which can be considered as a kind of complicity and encouragement to the Moroccan oppressor. The conference of Malaga was organized on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was marked by the participation of many Saharawi human rights activists from the occupied zones. Beyoun highlighted the need to raise awareness amongst the international public opinion of the repression systematically perpetrated by Morocco against the Saharawi people, and said that his people will not give up fighting until the realisation of independence.

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Le Front Polisario estime que la position de Zapatero "éloigne la solution pacifique" du conflit sahraoui

Madrid, Le représentant du Front Polisario en Espagne, Bouchraya Hamoudi Beyoun, a estimé que la position du président du gouvernement espagnol, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, de soutenir le plan marocain dit +d’autonomie+ au Sahara occidental "éloigne la solution pacifique" du conflit.

Dans une déclaration à l’agence espagnole, EFE, le responsable sahraoui a déploré que Zapatero eut apporté un "appui total" à la thèse marocaine contraire au droit à l’autodétermination et à l’indépendance du peuple sahraoui, à l’occasion de la tenue de la 9e réunion de haut niveau hispano-marocaine.

M. Bouchraya a affirmé que la proposition d’autonomie que veut imposer le Maroc "contredit totalement" les résolutions des Nations unies, qui soulignent le droit à l’autodétermination du peuple sahraoui. "Nous n’avons pas lutté pendant 33 ans pour être des Marocains", a-t-il souligné.

.Qualifiant la position de Zapatero d’"alignement claire" en faveur de l’occupation du Sahara occidental, il a affirmé que "ce comportement politique éloigne la solution pacifique (du conflit), nie les aspirations légitimes du peuple sahraoui et mène la région vers un scénario de tension".

Le chef de l’exécutif espagnol, qui s’exprimait, mardi, lors d’une conférence de presse conjointe avec le premier ministre marocain, Abbas El Fassi, au terme des travaux de cette rencontre bilatérale, a appelé les deux parties au conflit, le Front Polisario et le Maroc, à avoir la "capacité de faire des concessions et d’assouplir leur position".

Il la également estimé que le modèle de l’autonomie en Espagne "pourrait être une bonne expérience" pour le Maroc dans son projet de régionalisation, tout en précisant que le conflit du Sahara occidental "exige un accord entre les parties, sous l’égide de l’ONU, où l’Espagne sera toujours un collaborateur actif".

Polisario call on the High Commission for Human Right to publish its report on the human rights situation in Western Sahara

The president of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, addressed on December 15, 2008 a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Navanethem Pillay, to release her organisation’s report on the Moroccan human rights violations of in Western Sahara. He also asked for a dispatch of a permanent mission in the occupied zones to monitor the human rights situation and control the Moroccan violations. Here is the complete text of the letter: --------------------------- Brussels, 15th December, 2008 H.E. Mrs. Navanethem Pillay High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Commissioner, Since October 31st, 1975, date of the occupation of Western by Morocco, which constituted a flagrant violation of international law, grave human rights violations were systematically committed by the Moroccan State against Saharawi citizens in Western Sahara, in the South of Morocco and in the Moroccan Universities. These violations have intensified in a very intolerable way, tens of Human right’s organisations have reported on deliberate acts of murder, burial of alive people, bombardments of innocent people with Phosphor and Napalm, which are internationally prohibited, systematic torture and forced disappearances. Since that date, 500 civilians and 151 combatants are still unaccounted for. Up to 40 human rights’ activists are imprisoned in the Moroccan jails at this moment, simply because they have legitimately called for the decolonization of Western Sahara and the respect of the inalienable right of the Saharawi people to independence, as proclaimed by the United Nations Charter and resolutions. Mrs. Commissioner, The visit which was undertaken by a delegation of the High commissioner for Human Rights to the occupied areas of Western Sahara and the refugee camps on May-June 2006, raised grate expectation and hope among our population. We hoped that the delegation’s report elaborated, on September of the same year, would substantially contribute to put an end to the suffering of our citizens, victims of the Moroccan State’s abuses, However, we were surprised to learn that the report was not published. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, our surprise is even greater to see that the said report is still considered “secret”. Considering that this report deals with human rights abuses in a region where a decolonisation process, supervised by the UN is taking place, we can only express our deep deception and disapproval for its non publication. Since the visit of the High Commissioner of Human Right’s delegation, the situation did not improve, it has worsened instead, and in the absence of an effective international action to end this repression, the Moroccan authorities have continued their practices and stepped-up their repressive policy, particularly since the commencement of peaceful demonstrations carried out by the Saharawi population in the occupied areas of Western Sahara for the respect of their right to self-determination. On December 1st, 2008, two Saharawi students, Baba Abdelaziz Khaya and Al Hussein Abd-Assadak Laktaif were murdered in Agadir, while participating in a student’s peaceful demonstration. The Moroccan authorities are, once again, responsible of this crime, which will add two more names to the long list of the victims of the Moroccan repression. While the people of Western Sahara is still unable to exercise their right to self-determination, the Human right’s situation continues to deteriorate and considering that the protection of those rights is the responsibility of the United Nations, we urgently call on them to do their outmost to preserve and save the life and the integrity of our defenceless civilian population. Having said that, we consider of paramount importance the following: 1. To immediately publish the report of the High Commission for Human Right of September 2006 on Western Sahara, and implement its recommendations. 2. To urgently appoint a Mission of the High Commission for Human Right to, jointly with MINURSO, monitors the respect of Human Rights in Western Sahara, bearing in mind the gravity of the situation, resulting from the systematic and brutal repression carried out by the Moroccan State against our civilian population. We can only express our hope for an urgent intervention of the High Commission of Human Rights to help our suffering population and to impose the respect of International Humanitarian Law as well as International legality in Western Sahara. Please accept, Mrs. Commissioner, our highest considerations. Mohamed Abdelaziz Secretary General of Polisario Front and President of the Sahrawi Republic

POLISARIO Front head favours dialogue with Morocco, denies Al-Qa’idah presence

(Al-Jazeera [Qatar]) -- On 12 December a recorded 23-minute interview with Mohamed Abdelaziz, the secretary-general of the POLISARIO Front, by Mohamed Baba Ould Ashfa, from the "Today’s Encounter" programme. The place and date of the interview were not specified. Ould Ashfa begins the interview by asking Abdelaziz if he still believes that dialogue is the best way to resolve the Western Sahara issue. Abdelaziz says: "We met with the UN secretary-general on 4 November and he assured us that the United Nations continues to work for implementing UN Security Council resolutions providing for holding direct and intensive negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front under UN auspices to reach a peaceful and just solution ensuring the Western Sahara people’s right to self-determination." He says that he reassured the UN secretary-general of the Front’s "readiness to continue along this course and we voiced our strong indignation at the obstacles that the Kingdom of Morocco is putting on the way to prevent this dialogue." Asked if the front can offer concessions for the sake of an agreement, he says that on 4 April 2007, the POLISARIO Front presented a proposal to the United Nations that the UN organization should organize a referendum to allow the Saharan people to have self-determination, noting that there would be three options: Independence, merger with the Kingdom of Morocco, or an autonomy. He says that if the people vote for independence, "we expressed our readiness to start negotiations with the Kingdom of Morocco to reach agreement, ensuring Morocco’s economic and security interests, and dealing with the issue of the Moroccan settlers." He says that this means that we are prepared to take care of the concerns of the Kingdom of Morocco. He adds: "Therefore, we do not set the condition that independence is the final solution." Abdelaziz says the issue is within the process of liquidating colonialism, as mentioned in UN reports, as well as The Hague’s court’s ruling that Morocco has never had sovereignty over the Western Sahara and that the problem can be resolved by people’s self-determination. He says this means that the Saharan people’s right to realize self-determination is legitimate. He says that the POLISARIO Front preferred the peaceful solution and responded to UN calls. Abdelaziz adds: "However, the Front’s 12th congress, held in Tifariti last December, said that in case the Moroccan government continues to impede a solution ensuring the Saharan people’s rights to self-determination, and based on the legitimate struggle of the POLISARIO Front, the people will take up arms to defend their legitimate national rights." Asked if the withdrawal of certain POLISARIO figures to the Moroccan side harmed the front, he replies that this is not important, noting that the Moroccan side in the talks did not include any Saharan figures from those who had identified with the POLISARIO Front. Abdelaziz says that the United States so far does not recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara. He says the United States seems to be encouraging negotiations between the POLISARIO Front and the Kingdom of Morocco to reach a solution that ensures the Western Sahara people’s right to self-determination. He says based on the "character" of the new US President-Elect Obama and the major principles of his political programme, we are optimistic. We hope that during President Obama’s era the last manifestation of colonialism in Africa; namely, the Western Sahara issue, will be removed." Asked about the committee that the EU Parliament formed to look into the dispute over the Western Sahara issue, he says that last year the EU Parliament decided to send a special mission from the EU Parliament to look into issues pertaining to human rights, freedoms and the conditions of the Saharan people in the occupied area of the Western Sahara. He adds: "Regrettably, the Moroccan government continues to place obstacles on the path of this mission." Answering a question, he says that at its 12th congress, the front decided to develop the "liberated areas," adding that this requires investments and efforts, "but we are working to establish infrastructure and breathe life into these areas, starting with water and schools and other things." Asked where they will have the funds to do that, "apart from Algerian aid," he replies that the front has been able to establish relations of solidarity with states in Africa, Latin America and other regions, as well as non-governmental organizations. He says the main financial assistance comes from this "network," in addition to backing from "certain states like Algeria, South Africa and Venezuela." He says assistance from Spain is basically "humanitarian," in the field of education, health and social affairs. Asked about "internal struggles" within the front, Abdelaziz says that the front is a liberation movement and it has never been confined to a certain ideology to the exclusion of others. Its aim has always been liberating the Western Sahara, liquidating colonialism and realizing the legitimate national aspirations of the Saharan people. He adds: "Thus, the POLISARIO Front has remained open to all opinions and ideologies. Moreover, the POLISARIO Front is a democratic movement. General people’s congresses are held once every three years, during which we renew our leadership, and review our programmes, laws, polices and strategies. Thus, all opinions pertaining to freedom, self-determination and independence for the Saharan people will find a place in this regard. Therefore, I have no information at all about anyone who believes and defends national independence and yet does not find a place in the POLISARIO Front. "True opinions are not identical, there are various opinions. We discuss and differ on matters of opinion but we agree and defend collectively the points of agreement among us. It is also true that 17 years of vigil and the state of no-war and no-peace resulted in a great disappointment among the people of the Sahara in general, whether here in the refugee camps, in the occupied territory, or in Morocco itself, especially among the youths. There are strong calls, and sometimes pressures, on the leadership, to resume fighting or resolve the problem by a referendum on self-determination as soon as possible. But we continue to hold dialogue and we are trying to convince the majority of the Saharan people to continue on the path of negotiations and to ask the United Nations to arrange a referendum, and thus postpone a return to war until we are certain that a peaceful approach will not bring the results that we aspire for." Asked about the presence of fighters in the region who "are active in the Al-Qa’idah Organization in the Islamic Maghreb states," if the front has become party to the war against "so-called terrorism," and if there is any coordination between the front and Mauritania and Mali, for instance, he replies: "I would like to assure you that the liberated areas from the Western Sahara territory are being watched by the POLISARIO Front forces and there is no presence of these groups. None of their elements passed through them in any way whatsoever, so far. Moreover, the POLISARIO Front categorically and firmly rejects terrorism. We are involved in an African effort. We are a state in the African Union and there are policies and departments that take care of this and coordinate positions in this regard. Meetings and conferences are being held and efforts made, and we are involved in these policies with all the strength at our disposal within the framework of the AU and we contribute to confronting terrorism within this framework. "Furthermore, if there is a regional effort and a framework pertaining to Northwest Africa or Western Africa in general, we will be prepared to be involved in such an effort. Naturally, our coordination is very strong with our two neighbours, Algeria and Mauritania, in this connection and we are perfectly prepared. Asked if this means that apart form the Algerian backing, official Arab support is nonexistent, he replies: "True, throughout our long resistance since the Spanish colonial rule, the Arab countries have not contributed to supporting us, as they contributed to backing some Arab liberation movements, especially in Palestine and in Algeria during the revolution. We receive much less support." He says Algeria, and sometimes Libya helped the POLISARIO Front. He adds: "We regret that. We ask our Arab brothers to be with us in our ordeal. Our case is just like what happened between Eastern Timor and Indonesia. Our case is similar to what happened between Iraq and Kuwait. The Arabs rushed to assist Kuwait in confronting the Iraqi invasion at a certain stage and therefore, there is no justification for refraining from assisting the Saharan people in confronting the Moroccan invasion." Concluding, Abdelaziz says that "the Arabs should help us, their brothers, and they can help us because we are their oppressed brothers." He adds" "Morocco is their unjust brother" and they also should help it "by giving it advice and making it desist from oppressing us."

La famille d’un prisonnier politique sahraoui mène une grève illimitée de la faim

Assa (sud du Maroc), La famille du prisonnier politique sahraoui, Moustapha Abd Dayem a décidé d’entamer une grève illimitée de la faim, en protestation au procès inique dont il était victime de la part de la cour d’Agadir, le condamnant à une peine de 3 ans ferme et une amende de 5.000 dirhams.

Cette grève intervient au moment où les autorités marocaines ont empêché la défense d’assister au cours de la séance d’appel du journaliste sahraoui, Abd Dayem, a indiqué un communiqué rendu public par la famille dont une copie est parvenue à SPS.

Le communiqué lance un appel pressant à toutes les forces éprises de paix et de justice de par le monde pour venir en aide à cette famille, afin de préserver la dignité humaine, a conclu le communiqué.

Le journaliste sahraoui Abd Dayem avait été arrêté par les forces de sécurité marocaine à Goulimime (sud du Maroc) à la suite de sa participation dans une manifestation pacifique des citoyens sahraouis réclamant le droit du peuple sahraoui à l’autodétermination et à l’indépendance, rappelle-t-on.

La CEAS exhorte Zapatero à soutenir le droit du peuple sahraoui à l’autodétermination

Madrid, La Coordination espagnole des associations de soutien au peuple sahraoui (CEAS) a exhorté le président du gouvernement espagnol, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, à jouer un "rôle prépondérant" dans le règlement du conflit du Sahara Occidental et de soutenir le droit du peuple sahraoui à l’autodétermination.

"Devant la société espagnole et devant l’histoire, je vous exhorte à assumer un rôle de plus grand protagonisme et de prendre une initiative dans la résolution de ce sanglant conflit (…) et ce, sur la base de la responsabilité (de l’Espagne) en tant que puissance colonisatrice de ce territoire et comme un des Etats responsables du drame que continuent de vivre les citoyens sahraouis", écrit le président de la CEAS, José Manuel Taboada, dans une lettre ouverte au chef de l’Exécutif espagnol, à l’occasion de la tenue à Madrid de la 9e réunion de haut niveau hispano-marocaine, à Madrid.

Dans ce sens, la CEAS demande au président Zapatero "d’insister" auprès de ses interlocuteurs marocains sur la "nécessité d’un accord entre les parties (le Front Polisario et le Maroc) devant respecter les résolutions et recommandations de l’ONU, ainsi que la légalité clairement établie par le droit international pour permettre la décolonisation du Sahara Occidental à travers l’organisation d’un référendum d’autodétermination reflétant la libre volonté des habitants de ce territoire".

Pour M. Taboada, les "relations de proximité et de confiance" entre l’Espagne et le Maroc "ne peuvent, ni ne doivent être scellées sur la base d’une nouvelle tromperie pour les droits internationalement reconnus au peuple sahraoui, ni dans le double ou triple langages qui occultent les véritables intentions, ou dans la recherche de formules qui ne font que trahir les espoirs d’un peuple qui a largement démontré sa maturité et sa patience ainsi que sa recherche pacifique d’une solution juste, en accord avec la légalité internationale"

La CEAS,qui regroupe près de 200 associations de soutien au peuple sahraoui, en appelle également à Zapatero pour intervenir auprès du Maroc afin de mettre fin à sa politique "ouvertement répressive, disproportionnée et arrogante" contre les Sahraouis dans les territoires occupés, dont le "seul délit est de défendre leurs intérêts et aspirations et de vouloir un Sahara Occidental libre".

La CEAS a interpelé, à cet égard, M. Zapatero, devant les "procès-mascarade, les arrestations arbitraires, les matraquages et les tortures" dont sont victimes quotidiennement les Sahraouis dans ces territoires "devant le silence honteux des grandes puissances et du gouvernement espagnol".

Dans ce sens, la coordination a estimé que le dirigeant espagnol "ne peut rester indifférent" devant des faits dénoncés à plusieurs reprises par les différentes organisations de défense des droits de l’homme, et partiellement recueillis dans le rapport 2006 du Haut commissariat des Nations unies pour les droits de l’homme.

Pour tout cela, la CEAS a demandé à M. Zapatero d’assumer un "rôle prépondérant qui correspond légalement à l’Etat espagnol" en tant que puissance administrante du Sahara occidental, tout en souhaitant qu’il crée, durant 2009, les "conditions adéquates pour une décolonisation définitive" de cette ancienne colonie espagnole.

La coordination invite encore M. Zapatero à accorder le statut diplomatique à la représentation sahraouie en Espagne comme l’a fait l’Union européenne avec la représentation palestinienne, et "faire un pas de plus en se joignant, comme inducteur du processus de décolonisation, aux pays qui ont déjà reconnu la RASD qui assure l’une des vice-présidences de l’Union africaine".

"Aussi, nous vous demandons ce qui nous semble être juste et que vous répareriez, au moins en partie, l’honneur entaché et la crédibilité d’un Etat qui, par rapport à cette question (sahraouie), n’a jamais su être à la hauteur de la responsabilité qui lui incombait", conclut le président de la CEAS dans sa lettre au président Zapatero.

Le président sahraoui, M. Mohamed Abdelaziz, avait critiqué, rappelle-t-on, la "position ambiguë" de l’Espagne dans la recherche d’une solution au conflit du Sahara occidental.

"Malheureusement, la position de l’Espagne au lieu de faire avancer les choses (au Sahara occidental), elle les a compliquées", avait déclaré le président Abdelaziz dans une interview publiée samedi par le quotidien espagnol ABC.

"Cette ambiguité (…) n’a pas aidé à avancer, ni au sein de l’ONU, ni dans le respect des droits de l’homme, ni dans la position européenne et ni encore dans le renforcement de l’Union du Maghreb arabe (UMA)", avait-il expliqué.

Répression d’une manifestation pacifique à Goulimime : résultat des dizaines de blessés

Goulimime (sud du Maroc), Les forces de sécurité marocaines ont procédé, dimanche à la répression d’une manifestation pacifique des citoyens sahraouis, causant des dizaines de blesses et deux personnes arrêtés, selon une source du ministère sahraoui des territoires occupés et de la diaspora.

"Les manifestants ont condamné la politique de vengeance exercée par les autorités marocaines contre les citoyens sahraouis sans défense, notamment l’assassinat récemment des deux étudiants sahraouis, Baba Khaya et El Houssein Lekteif, choqués consciemment par la voie d’un véhicule marocain devant une gare routière à Agadir (Maroc) ", ajoute notre source.

Ils ont également dénoncé l’intervention sauvage et des actes d’enlèvement perpétrés par les appareils de sécurité marocains, dont ils furent victimes récemment les étudiants sahraouis, Brahim Mokhtar Brizar, Younes Lehbib Eblagh, son frère, Ali Salem et l’activiste des droits de l’Home, El Mighri Mokhtar Latif.

Il est signaler que la ville de Goulimime est littéralement assiégée par les mêmes forces de sécurité après ces affrontements, a conclu la même source.

Condamnation du lourd verdict contre le journaliste sahraoui, Mustapha Abd Dayem (ONG sahraouie)

El Aaiun (territoires occupés), une association sahraouie des défenseurs des droits humains au Sahara occidental a condamné énergiquement le lourd verdict prononcé par la cour pénale d’Agadir (sud du Maroc) contre le journaliste sahraouie, Mustapha Abd Dayem, estimant que ce procès avait été "auparavant élaboré"par la justice marocaine, a indiqué une source judiciaire sahraouie.

La cour avait condamné antérieurement, Mustapha à trois ans de prison ferme avec une amende de, 50000DH et sa privation d’emploi au sein de la fonction publique pendant dix années, a regretté la même source, appelant à la libération immédiate et inconditionnelle des prisonniers politiques sahraouis qui se trouvent encore dans les prisons marocaines.

Le représentant de l’ONG sahraouie qu’a assisté la juridiction avait constaté"le mauvais traitement et le non respect du contrat moral de la profession de la part des autorités marocaines, notamment lorsque, Mustapha avait comparu en cas de détention, exprimant à haute voix ses opinions politiques du conflit du Sahara occidental, basées sur le droit à l’autodétermination du peuple sahraoui", a ajouté la même source.

Le journaliste sahraoui avait été arrêté par les forces de sécurité marocaine à Goulimime (sud du Maroc) à la suite de sa participation dans une manifestation pacifique des citoyens sahraouis réclamant le droit du peuple sahraoui à l’autodétermination et à l’indépendance, rappelle-t-on.

Par ailleurs la filiale de cette même association sahraouie à Zak (sud du Maroc) a dénoncé "avec force" le lourd verdict contre son écrivain général et le prisonniers politique sahraoui, Mustapha Abd Dayem et le considère comme" un véritable poursuit des juridictions illégales conte ces prisonniers".

Le responsable des relations extérieures du Parti travailliste irlandais se dit préoccupé par la situation des droits de l'Homme dans les territoires

Dublin (Irlande), Le responsable des relations extérieures du parti travailliste irlandais, M. Michael Higgins a exprimé sa profonde préoccupation envers la situtation des droits de l'homme dans les territoires occupés du Sahara occidental, a-t-on indiqué de source proche de la représentation du Front Polisario auprès de la Grande-Bretagne et de l'Irlande.

M. Higgins qui recevait récemment au siège du Parlement irlandais le représentant du Front Polisario en Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande, M. Laman Abaali, a affirmé "le soutien de son parti à la lutte du peuple sahraoui, afin que ce peuple puisse exercer ses droits fondamentaux reconnus par toutes les conventions internationales, y compris le droit à l'autodétermination et à l'indépendance".

L’entretien a eu trait aux derniers développements de la question du Sahara occidental et a permis à M. Baali d’évoquer la détérioration de la situation des droits de l'homme dans les territoires sahraouis occupés par le Maroc, exprimant sa profonde préoccupation devant le refus du Maroc des moyens pacifiques devant aboutir à un règlement pacifique du conflit du Sahara occidental.

"Il est temps pour l'Union européenne assume sa responsabilité morale et politique pour résoudre ce conflit", ajoutant "le peuple sahraoui ne peut pas être puni, parce qu’il met sa confiance en la communauté internationale", a estimé M. Baali.

Constitution d'un groupe d'amitié avec le Sahara occidental au parlement australien

Sidney, Le parlement australien a constitué récemment un groupe d'amitié avec le Sahara Occidental, indique-t-on dimanche de source diplomatique.

Ce groupe d'amitié a été constitué lors d'une cérémonie organisée dans l'enceinte du parlement australien et présidée par la présidente de la commission commerce du parlement, Mme Janelle Saffin.

Dans une allocution prononcée à cette occasion, Mme Saffin a "stigmatisé l'occupation du Sahara Occidental par le Maroc" et souligné la "justesse de la cause sahraouie", affirmant que la cause sahraouie "bénéficie de l'appui de tous les partis politiques en Australie", a-t-on ajouté de même source.

Le représentant du Polisario en Australie, M. Kamel Fadel, a pour sa part remercié tous les invités et particulièrement les parlementaires australiens membres du groupe d'amitié avec le Sahara Occidental.

Le président de la République avertit des dangers du "statu avancé" accordé par l’UE au Maroc

Torni (Belgique), Le président de la République, Mohamed Abdelaziz a averti, samedi des dangers qui peuvent en découler de l’octroi d’un statu avancé au Maroc par l’Union Européen (UE), au cours d’un point de presse à la ville Torni en Belgique.

Après avoir présenter un exposé sur les développements de la cause du peuple sahraoui, M. Abdelaziz a déclaré que "le but principal de sa visite en Belgique est d’attirer l’attention de l’UE pour que ce statut avancé n’enfermera pas les territoires occupés du Sahara Occidental", ajoutant que "le Maroc voit dans ce privilège une reconnaissance par l’UE à sa colonisation illégale de ces territoires et un encouragement à sa transgression au droit international et aux violations flagrantes des droits humains".

Le président de la République a rappelé que"les Etats-Unis d’Amérique dans leur accord de libre échange avec le Maroc, ils avaient exclus la région du Sahara occidental, car les USA et le Nations Unie considèrent que le Maroc n’a aucune souveraineté sur le territoire".

Il a en outre dénoncé les obstacles imposés par les autorités marocaines devant les efforts de la communauté internationale, partant du refus de la nomination par le SG des Nations Unies du nouveau Envoyé personnel au Sahara occidental, Cristopher Ross, rappelant que"la solution légitime de ce conflit doit passer par l’exercice du peuple sahraoui de son droit inaliénable à l’autodétermination".

M. Abdelaziz a considéré que sa visite s’inscrit sous le but du renforcement des relations d’amitié actuelles et futures entre la RASD et la Belgique, ainsi qu’entre le Grand Maghreb et l’Europe, invitant les responsables et les représentants de la ville de Torni à visiter les territoires libérés du Sahara occidental et les camps des réfugies sahraouis, a-t-il conclut.

La position de l’Espagne n’a pas aidé au règlement du conflit du Sahara occidental, estime, Mohamed Abdelaziz

Madrid, Le président, M. Mohamed Abdelaziz, a critiqué la "position ambiguë" de l’Espagne dans la recherche d’une solution au conflit du Sahara occidental et appelé la communauté internationale à faire pression sur le Maroc pour sauver le processus de négociations afin d’éviter un retour à la guerre.

"Malheureusement, la position de l’Espagne au lieu de faire avancer les choses (au Sahara occidental), elle les a compliquées", a déclaré le président Abdelaziz dans une interview publiée samedi par le quotidien espagnol ABC.

"Cette ambiguité (…) n’a pas aidé à avancer, ni au sein de l’ONU, ni dans le respect des droits de l’homme, ni dans la position européenne et ni encore dans le renforcement de l’Union du Maghreb arabe (UMA)", a-t-il expliqué.

Pour le dirigeant sahraoui, cette position espagnole est utilisée par le Maroc pour "affirmer son intransigeance" dans le but de prolonger davantage le conflit. Et de s’interroger, dans ce contexte, sur l’utilisation que fera le Maroc de "l’important armement" fourni par l’Espagne à ce pays.

Evoquant la reprise des négociations directes entre le Front Polisario et le Maroc auxquelles le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU avait donné un délai jusqu’à avril prochain, le président Abdelaziz a relevé que le Maroc "n’a même pas répondu" à la proposition du secrétaire général de l’ONU de désigner son nouvel envoyé spécial dans la région.

Tout en rappelant que M. Ban Ki-moon lui avait confirmé son appui au processus de négociations, lors de leur rencontre à New York, en novembre dernier, le président sahraoui a souligné que pour sauver ce processus, "il faut exercer des pressions sur le Maroc, comme dernière opportunité d’éviter un retour à la guerre".

Le président sahraoui s’est montré, par ailleurs, optimiste, quant à un règlement du conflit du Sahara occidental avec l’avènement du nouveau président américain. "Nous avons l’impression que, durant la présidence de Barack Obama, l’indépendance du Sahara occidental sera reconnue enfin, et ce pays fera son entrée au sein des Nations unies". "Je le dis pour plusieurs raisons.

D’abord, parce que l’Administration du nouveau président se distinguera par son respect du droit international et, dans ce cas précis, du droit à l’autodétermination reconnu par l’ONU", a-t-il expliqué.

La deuxième raison réside dans le "grand intérêt" que porte le président Obama au "respect des droits de l’homme, à l’Afrique et aux institutions continentales, comme l’Union africaine ou le Parlement africain où nous sommes représentés", a-t-il ajouté.

Parlant du rôle du roi du Maroc dans le problème sahraoui, le président Abdelaziz a constaté un "recul scandaleux" depuis la mort de son père Hassan II, en rappelant que "le Maroc a rejeté le plan de 1981, l’accord de Houston et le référendum (d’autodétermination)".

"Tout cela s’est passé depuis la mort de Hassan II", a-t-il dit. Le dirigeant sahraoui estime, enfin, que ceux qui ont défendu l’indépendance du Kosovo "se doivent aujourd’hui de défendre celle du Sahara occidental, comme cela s’est passé avec Timor Est ou avec le Koweït, ou sinon cela laissera à penser qu’il existe deux poids deux mesures dans le droit international".

L’Union européenne s’exprime pour une "solution juste" au conflit du Sahara occidental

Bruxelles, La commissaire européenne des relations extérieures, Benita Ferrero-Waldner a exprimé jeudi au président de la République, Mohamed Abdelaziz, le soutien de l’Union européenne aux efforts de l’ONU pour trouver une "solution politique, durable et mutuellement acceptable" au problème du Sahara occidental.

Mme Ferrero a exprimé que la solution du conflit du Sahara occidental "doit être basée sur le respect du droit du peuple sahraoui à l’autodétermination", conformément aux résolutions onusiennes, a rapporté jeudi, l’agence de presse espagnole, EFE.

La rencontre du président de la République, Mohamed Abdelaziz avec la commissaire européenne intervient après celle qu’il avait eu en novembre dernier avec le SG de l’Onu, Ban Ki-Moon dans le cadre des tentatives du Front Polisario d’expliquer ses positions des développements de la question du Sahara occidental, notamment à la lumière de l’intransigeance du Maroc et son refus à se conformer à la légalité internationale. .

M. Abdelaziz avait réaffirmé la disponibilité de la partie sahraouie à aller aux négociations avec de bonne foi afin de parvenir à l’application des résolutions de l’Onu, avertissant contre "la politique marocaine actuelle devant conduire à plus de complications dans la région, notamment les violations marocaines des droits de l’Homme" au Sahara occidental.

A cet égard, le Président sahraoui a appelé l’Onu à exercer les pressions nécessaires sur le Maroc pour le convaincre à se conformer à la volonté de la communauté internationale, prévenant que "l’intransigeance marocaine pourra conduire la région vers le chaos".


M. Abdelaziz au cours de sa visite à l’union européenne devrait être reçu par le Président du Parlement européen Hans-Gert Pöttering. Il évoquera également les conséquences du nouveau "statut avancé" accordé au Maroc par l’Union européenne dans le cadre de la Politique européenne de voisinage.

Le chef de l’Etat sahraoui communiquera en outre les efforts continus des Nations unies sur la définition du conflit du Sahara occidental comme un problème de décolonisation, et présentera la situation humanitaire actuelle des réfugiés sahraouis qui dépendent totalement de l'aide humanitaire internationale.

Le conflit du Sahara occidental empêche l’édification du Maghreb arabe (diplomate algérien)

Alger, Le ministre algérien chargé des Affaires maghrébines et africaines, Abdelkader Msahel a réaffirmé vendredi que "le conflit du Sahara occidental empêche l’édification du Maghreb arabe et son progrès", dans des déclarations citées par la chaine 3 algerienne.

Le diplomate algérien a relevé que "l’Algérie maintient depuis 1965 une position incontournable envers la question du Sahara occidental et qu’elle demeure attachée au principe de l’autodétermination du peuple sahraoui, conformément à la position de la communauté internationale et de l’organisation des Nations unies".

"Nous avons toujours encouragés la recherche d’une solution basée sur l’exercice du peuple du Sahara occidental de son droit inaliénable à l’autodétermination", a-t-il ajouté, soulignant que "les négociations entre le Front Polisario et le Maroc n’ont pas progressées".

A cet égard, M. Msahel a appelé à la nomination d’un nouvel envoyé personnel du Secrétaire général de l’ONU au Sahara occidental "dans les plus brefs délais", a-t-on ajouté de même source.

"Il est temps que l’ONU exerce des pressions sur les parties pour faire avancer les négociations et parvenir à une solution garantissant l’autodétermination du peuple sahraoui", a conclu le diplomate algérien cité par la même source.

Protestations contre le mur marocain au Sahara Occidental

Territoires sahraouis libérés, Environ 200 manifestants dont 100 étrangers solidaires avec la cause sahraouie ont protesté jeudi contre le mur marocain au Sahara Occidental, a-t-on indiqué.

Ont pris part à cette manifestation des sympathisants venus du Mexique, des représentants de la jeunesse espagnole d'Andalousie et de Catalogne ainsi que des citoyens sahraouis des camps des réfugiés.

Les manifestants ont lancé "un appel urgent à la communauté internationale, aux ONG et aux personnalités éprises de paix et de liberté pour adhérer à la caravane de dénonciation de ce mur qui s'étend sur 2720 km".

Par ailleurs, cette manifestation à laquelle ont appelé des organisations de soutien au peuple sahraoui à l'occasion du 60ème anniversaire de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'Homme, a été organisée sous le thème "Assez d'assassinats et de répression contre le peuple sahraoui"

Les manifestants ont brandi le drapeau de la République arabe sahraouie démocratique (RASD) et des banderoles dénonçant la répression du peuple sahraoui par le gouvernement marocain dans les territoires occupés et scandé des slogans appelant à mettre un terme à l'occupation du Sahara Occidental par le Maroc.

La manifestation a été également marquée par l'arrivée du "Cheval de Troie", déposé par l'artiste mexicain "Carlos" prés du "mur de la honte". A l'intérieur de cette oeuvre artistique ont été déposées les différentes résolutions onusiennes relatives à la question sahraouie.

The meeting with Ferrero Waldner was "very important and interesting" (Saharawi President)

The President of the Saharawi Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, who is undertaking a working visit to Brussels starting from Today, described his meeting with the European Commissioner for External Relations and ENP, Ms. Ferrero Waldner as "very important and interesting". "During the meeting, the first at this level between POLISARIO and the European Commission, we asked the European Union to pay more efforts to persuade Morocco to return to the negotiating table, and abandon its opposition to the appointment of the new special envoy of UN for Western Sahara", Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz said at a press conference held at International Press Centre (IPC) in Brussels. He also stressed that the meeting was "very important" because it occurred in a time of stalemate in the negotiations because of the Moroccan attitude, and because of the seriousness of the situation of human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, and the recent decision by the European Union to granted an "advanced status" to Morocco. In this respect, the President of the Republic called on the European Union to put an end to the illegal exploitation of the Saharawi natural resources as long as the political issue is not resolved. "The territory of Western Sahara must have no relation with the advanced status Europe is planning to grant Morocco with", he said. The President of the Republic is accompanied by the Saharawi Minister delegated to Europe, Mohamed Sidati, the Saharawi Coordinator with the MINURSO, Mhamed Khadad and the Director of the Saharawi Centre for Strategic Studies, Baba Sayed.

Western Sahara present in Irish celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

POLISARIO Front’s representative in the UK and Ireland, Y. Lamine Baali, denounced to more than 500 activists the serious human rights situation in Western Sahara, Wednesday during the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Right which was organized by the Irish NGO, “Ethical Development Action”, in Cork. In addition to interventions, the activity was also an opportunity to present to the participants food and drinks from different countries, including Saharawi green tea. Here is the complete text of the intervention of the POLISARIO Front’s representative: --------------------- 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Human Right EDA-University of Cork Ireland .2008 -12-10 Mr Chairman , distinguish, guests, ladies and Gentleman , dear friends , First of al allow me to thank you for inviting me to celebrate with you this significant and precious moment-the 60th anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Right , under the title “Where’s Me Rights?”, it is a very important question which all of us in Western Sahara have been asking . As you have said that on 10th December 1948, the general Assembly of UN adopted the declaration of Universal Human Right Declaration. Following this act UN called upon the countries "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories.” Thus every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance (…) Today we have to remember all of those whom lost their lives in defending the values of freedom and justice , democracy, and human right which we all share. Just early last week two Saharawi students had been killed in clod blood by Morocco in Agadir buss station similar to many others.. As long as the Morocco is adamant, in its illegal occupation, and the Saharawi are determined in their peaceful resistance against it . I am sure that these victims of the brutal savage of the Moroccan manner towards the Saharawi civilian, is not the first of it is kind will be the last. “Article 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction (…) Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.” (Universal Human Right Declaration) Dear friends , The essence of the Western Sahara tragedy lies in non-respect of the fundamental right of self- determination, and low mass media attention “The UN Declaration of Human Rights laid down what any person might reasonably expect, yet there are remarkably few people who enjoy these rights. With cameras in the hands of activists and meaningful distribution open fully want to change it." -- Peter Gabriel Some people feel that UN must be shamed, for the fact that after six decades of its existence to be unable to solve a simple decolonisation matter which has been in its agenda since sixties, equally the eagerness of not upsetting the new King of Morocco, made the public opinion believe that the international community is powerless to save peace and stability in the region of North-West of Africa. “Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral” Paulo Freire: Now is a pity and sad that UN could not yet deliver what the Saharawi people expected from it . As you may know that The disregard of the fundamental principle of UN has led to a vigorous armed conflict between the Kingdom of Morocco and the POLISARIO Front, which make the conflict to continue for more than a three decades and half. The question of Western Sahara is an issue of decolonization, of which solution is anchored in the free and democratic exercise by the Saharawi people of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, as provided for in the UN Charter and other UN relevant resolutions. In an historical legal opinion, issued on 16 October 1975, the International Court of Justice concluded that “the materials and information presented to it do not establish any tie of territorial sovereignty between the Territory of Western Sahara and the Kingdom of Morocco”. The Court also recommended “the implementation of the General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV)… and in particular of the principle of self-determination through the free and genuine expression of the will of the peoples of the Territory”. These conclusions were further confirmed, in January 2002, by M. Hans Corel, in his advisory opinion to the Security Council, by stating that the Spanish withdrawal from the territory in 1975 “did not affect the international status of Western Sahara as a Non-self-governing Territory”. The decolonizing process of Western Sahara was dramatically interrupted in 1975 due to the Moroccan military invasion and illegal occupation of the Territory. Consequently to Morocco invasion, hundreds of thousands of Saharawis, most of them women and children, were forced to exile in neighbouring countries; hundreds of Saharawis have been reported disappeared, while others remain imprisoned in Moroccan detention Centres for many years . “Article 9. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile” (Universal Human Right Declaration) In 1991 ,After 16 years of military confrontation between the two parties Morocco and POLISARIO Front, both of the them have accepted a UN settlement Plan whose objective is “to allow the people of Western Sahara to freely choose through a free and fair referendum, organized and supervised by the UN, and in cooperation with the OAU(AU), between independence and integration into Morocco”. However, Morocco’s obstructive attitude and lack of political will provoked several deadlocks and stalemates. By opting for complete disengagement from the Settlement Plan, which it had already accepted, Morocco clearly showed how contemptuous it was of the tremendous efforts and huge resources that the United Nations brought to bear on resolving the conflict for eighteen years. It was also Morocco who to date persists in its rejection of the Peace Plan For the Self-determination of the People of Western Sahara, which was the outcome? Of enormous mediation efforts deployed by the former US Secretary of State, Mr. James Baker III, in his capacity as the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara since (1997-2004) The peace plan, which was strongly endorsed by the Security Council in its resolution 1495 (2003), has been repeatedly acclaimed by the UN Secretary-General as an optimum, mutually acceptable solution that would provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in consonance with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. After it become crystal clear that Morocco disassociate it self from the peace plan process . In September 2004, the Republic of South Africa decided to recognize the Saharawi Republic in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. Since 2005 and out frustration and anger to Morocco’s obstruction position The Saharawi people from different walk of the life : Women ,children ,teen ages, adults, elderly have shown in united way their strong rejection to the Moroccan occupying force through many ,peaceful demonstrations in all Saharawi towns , such are Aaiun, Smara Dakhla, Bojdour, and in the south part of Morocco like Assa or Tan Tan ,Goulimin . Amhamid Al ghzlane , and in the Moroccan universities . Since then wherever there is a strong concentration of the Saharawi, demonstrators have gathered in squares in towns or in the universities campuses waving the Saharawi flag and chanting slogans in favor of the right of Self-determination . “This is always dangerous for the demonstrators who risk being hit by police batons or even torture .which sometimes leads to death as was the case of five young Saharawi ( HAMDI LEMABARKI, BACHAIKH LAKHLIFI, and SIDHA OULD LAHBIB ,” Aminatou Haidar (ex-prisoner and F.Robert Kennedy Human Right Lauriat 2008) and the recent example ELHOUSIEN ABDESSADEK LAKTEEF , BABA GHAYA ABDELAZIZ , who been killed at the buss Station in Agadir, first week of December . Not to mention the daily ransacking of homes and the constant intimidation and harassment campaign against Saharawi human right defenders and loss of jobs ,the prohibition of free movement . Contrary to Universal Human Right Declaration “Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment” The EU, of which Ireland is an active member, and the civic society, cannot be indifferent with regard to the question of Western Sahara. Besides its interest in preserving international peace and security, the EU must have a great interests in the resolution of the conflict of Western Sahara. It is widely acknowledged that Morocco would not have been able to persist in its attitude of intransigence and disregard for international legality with impunity without the backing, which has been receiving from EU Member State, which makes no secret of its support for Morocco’s theses. “All that is needed for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” -Edmund Burke “A right is not what someone gives you; it’s what no one can take from you.” -- Ramsey Clark Organizations including Amnesty International, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and the US State Dept and European Parliament all have strongly criticized the Moroccan government’s alarming human rights record in Western Sahara. The most of all the report of the High Commissioner for Human Right of UN in June 2006 which blocked from publication by some permanent member of security council UN . This leaked report reported in its paragraph “9. The question of the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara is paramount to the consideration of the overall human rights situation in the respective territories. It is a human right enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The respect of all human rights of the people of Western Sahara must be seen in tandem with this right and a Jack of its realization will inevitably impact on the enjoyment of all other rights guaranteed, inter alia, in the seven tore international human rights treaties in force.” On 13th October ,EU starts a process of grating an advance status to Morocco, it is worth to bring to your attention that , Barcelona declaration, associations partnership, neighbourhood policy, strongly emphases the full respect of human rights. “If you desire peace, cultivate justice, but at the same time cultivate the fields to produce more bread; otherwise there will be no peace” -- Norman Borlaug Dear friends, till when the Saharawi people will be enduring alone the burden of the destitution, deprivation from its political , economic, cultural, social right !? 35 years has elapsed and the Saharawi people waiting for the international community to honor its political, moral obligation . In the context of seeking way-out, the Saharawi side has contributed sufficiently and eloquently to the creation of a climate of détente and tolerance necessary for any sincere and honest negotiation, which might lead to the just and lasting solution to this long overdue conflict. On 11th April 2007 in this framework , POLISARIO Front handed over to Secretary-General of UN a proposal which takes into account the concerns of Morocco,. It is with deep disappointed that Morocco continues its intransigence and refused to accept any solution less than what so called “autonomy” . It is rather astonishing that the conflict of Western Sahara has been dealt with by five Secretary General of UN and many special envoys and more than 100 UN resolutions and MINURSO ( UN mission for the referendum in Western Sahara ) has been in the countries more that 17 years . Why The Western Sahara is the last decolonization issue in Africa , it is not also the time to ask the international community “Where’s Me Rights?” It is time for that the international community must came to use its influence on Morocco to say to her enough is enough time came for that Morocco must bide by the UN resolutions and start without further delay the implementation of the Peace Plan and respect the Human right and release all 50 Saharawi political prisoners and give an account on 500 Saharawi disappeared since 70s and release 150 Saharawi POWs , and open the occupied territories for MPs. MEPs, Press, NGOs, Diplomats, Observers . Dear friend the Saharawi people are appealing to you heart; mind for urgent and active solidarity We know that you can make a change you have made it in Latin America you have made it in East-Timor and in many African countries And you can make a change in Western Sahara too please don’t be late States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions. Noam Chomsky: Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower Silence never won rights. They are not handed down from above; they are forced by pressures from below. -- Roger Nash Baldwin Many thanks . Yahiaoui Lamine Baali POLISARIO’s Representative-UK and Ireland

Dozens of people denounce the repression of Saharawis before the Embassy of Morocco in Madrid

Dozens of people demonstrated Wednesday evening in front of the Embassy of Morocco in Madrid to denounce Moroccan repression against the Saharawi people in the occupied territories of Western Sahara and to pay tribute to the two Saharawi students recently murdered by the Moroccan authorities in Agadir (Morocco) during a peaceful sit-in. The event was organised by the Coordination of Spanish associations of solidarity with the Saharawi people (CEAS), on the occasion of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, held under the theme "stop the killing and repression against the Saharawi people." The demonstrators, lifting the SADR flags and banners that read, "Stop killings and torture", "Freedom to political prisoners" and “Western Sahara free and independent ", chanted slogans calling for the end of the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara and denouncing the repression against Saharawis. The pictures of the two martyrs as well as dozens of Saharawi victims of Moroccan repression. In this respect, the President of the CEAS, Mr. Pepe Taboada, declared that this event is a "symbolic act of solidarity with the Saharawi people, and an act to pay tribute to all the martyrs, especially Baba Khaya and Kteif Houssein, the two young Saharawi students who were murdered by the Moroccan regime." "These are the methods used by Morocco to suppress Saharawis. As the Moroccan colonial authority didn’t dare send policemen to do the dirty work, it sent a bus to assassinate the two martyrs," he continued, adding that this is a "brutal attempt to intimidate the Saharawi population, but in any case, Spanish civil society will continue standing by their side." "Through this event, we also want to denounce the impunity of Morocco that systematically violates human rights in Western Sahara for more than 30 years," he added. In addition, Mr. Taboada described as "shameful" the statement made Wednesday by the king of Morocco that the Saharawi refugees are "kidnapped Moroccans”, specifying in this regard that the UN recognises POLISARIO Front as the legitimate representative of the Saharawi people in exile and in the occupied territories, because the decolonization of their land was not completed at the time, "and also recognizes to that people" their right to self-determination in all its resolutions." It should be stressed that similar events were held in several other Spanish cities including the Canary Islands and Barcelona to denounce "the campaign of repression and extermination conducted by Morocco against the Saharawi civilians", according to the CEAS.

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The chairman of the FA of the Irish Labour Party expresses concerns about the situation in Western Sahara

The chairman of the FA of the Irish Labour Party, Mr Michael D.Higgins expressed concerns about the situation in Western Sahara, Wednesday, during his reception of the Representative of POLISARIO Front in the UK and Ireland, Y.Lamine Baali, at the seat of the Irish Parliament. Mr Michael D.Higgins expressed support to the Saharawi people’s struggle to exercise a fundamental right that is recognised in all international covenant, mainly the right to self-determination and independence. On his side, Lamine Baali the Polisario Representative for UK an Ireland was received to day in the Irish Parliament by Mr Michael D.Higgins TD chairman of the Irish Labour Party the meeting focuses on the last development of the Western Sahara conflict and Particular the alarming situation human right situation on the occupied territories of Western Sahara. Mr Lamine informed his interlocutor about POLISARIO Front’s concerns about the Moroccan intransigence and rejection of all peaceful solutions to the conflict, in addition to the Moroccan hindrance of the negotiations. He considered that “it is about time for the European Union to assume its moral and political responsibility vis-à-vis this conflict .The people of Western Saharawi must not be punished because it trusted the international community arbitrage”. IN the end of the meeting, Mr Michael D.Higgins presented to his Saharawi guest a copy of his book which was published in 2006 "Causes of concern" in which he talked about the Western Sahara in a whole Chapter entitled: "WesternSahara- War in the Desert: Living with the Saharaoui" It should be recalled that the Irish politician is the ex-Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in the Two Coalition governments between 1992 and 1997. The Saharawi representative is undertaking a work visit to Ireland which will allow him to contact many politicians, parliamentarians and actors of the civil society, it was indicated.

European Commission for a “just solution” to the conflict in Western Sahara

The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said that the EU is supporting the UN’s efforts to reach a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara. The European official gave this statement during her reception of the President of the Saharawi State, Mohamed Abdelaziz, Thursday. The Head of the Saharawi State officially visits the European Commission for the first time, to demand from the EU to clearly exclude the Western Sahara territory from any kind of agreements with Morocco. Morocco doesn’t have any kind of sovereignty over Western Sahara, and thus the European Union must not sign agreement with Rabat unless it is clearly indicated that the last colony in Africa is excluded. Last week, the UN former Under Secretary General for legal affairs, Hanz Corell, stated again that the European Union is illegally fishing in the territory, and said he is embarrassed of being European because of this European shameful attitude. The Saharawi President is undertaking a visit to Brussels to meet European officials, including the European Parliament President, Hans-Gert Poettering.