Walls of colonialism in the world: case of Western Sahara (workshop)

The Saharawi Khaima (tent), erected on the sidelines of the World Social Forum taking place in the Tunisian capital, hosted a workshop under the title “the Walls of Colonialism in the World: case of Western Sahara”, in the presence of Saharawi and foreign specialists and researchers.
The workshop opened by the screening of two documentaries; one by the Canadian writer Marcio de Santos, author of the book “journeys through the blockade”, featuring a comprehensive comparison of the walls built across the world, including the Moroccan wall of shame in Western Sahara, the other documentary by the well-known Uruguayan writer Galliano, in which he reviewed briefly the status of the Moroccan wall and its impacts on the lives of Saharawi population.
Professor Gaizi Annah, from Saharawi Association of Victims of War and Mines, presented a lecture about the structure and the technical characteristics of the Moroccan wall.
The Saharawi professor highlighted its humanitarian, economic and environmental impacts on the people of the Territory, urging Tunisians and all free men in the world, especially those present at the World Social Forum, to work in favour of the eradication of this wall which symbolizes colonialism and racism.
Egyptian professor Joseph Schechla, coordinator of the Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN), an international organization composed of civil society organizations in more than 100 countries and addresses population and land issues, presented a lecture underlying the legal aspects being violated by Moroccan occupation through its “humiliation and shame” wall in Western Sahara, which, he says, has no sovereignty over it according to requirements of international law.
He therefore called for filing a complaint to the international Court of Justice as did before the Palestine Liberation Organization against the Israeli wall in Palestine.
Speaking during the workshop, Palestinian professor Mr. Dawood Hammoudeh gave a presentation on the Palestinian experience in quantitative statistics of the effects of this wall on the Palestinian people, calling for the adoption of this methodology in drawing and tracing the direct and indirect physical and moral effects the Saharawi people suffer due to the Moroccan wall in their country.
The two-hour workshop focused on the aspects of Western Sahara conflict and the situation resulted from the Moroccan wall.

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Seeking solutions in line with Security Council resolutions

United Nations Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara Christopher said Tuesday that his visit to the Sahrawi refugee camps as part of his news tour to the region "aims at seeking solutions to the Western Sahara issue in line with the Security Council’s resolutions."

"The serious situation in the Sahel region requires, now more than ever, an urgent solution," Ross said, adding that he had discussions with the leaders of the Polisario Front and Sahrawi President Mohamed Abdelaziz, as well as with representatives of the civil society in order examine ways and means to boost the negotiation process."

"The outcomes of my trip, which will lead me to Nouakchott and then to Algeria, will be presented to the Council of Security on 22 April," he said.

For his part, the head of the Sahrawi National Committee for Referendum, M’hamed Kheddad said that the discussions between Sahrawi President Mohamed Abdelaziz and UN Personal Envoy Christopher Ross focused on the actions that the latter intends to undertake as part of the efforts for the decolonization of the Western Sahara on the basis of the right of Sahrawi people to self-determination.

Ross "intends to adopt a new method for negotiations through meetings and consultations with the parties concerned," he added. "The Secretary General of Polisario Front has reiterated willingness to continue to cooperate with the United Nations," he said

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on the eve of the visit of Ross to occupied territories, Polisario Front urges international community to protect the Saharawis

President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Mohamed Abdelaziz, on Tuesday, has urged Secretary General of the United Nations ,Ban Ki-moon, for “urgent intervention to avoid Moroccan brutal intervention against defenseless Saharawis in the occupied territories of western Sahara” at the eve of the visit of the personal envoy ,Kristopher Ross to the region.

“We call upon you for immediate intervention to not allow a new brutal intervention against civilian defenseless Saharawi on a territory still under the direct responsibility of the United Nations” reads the message of President to Secretary General of the UN.

President of the Republic stopped Ki-moon on the “Moroccan heavy security enforcements” in the occupied territories of Western Sahara that aim to prevent and deter the Saharawi citizens from demonstrate peacefully and express their “legitimate demands of independence and freedom” while the personal envoy visits the occupied territories.

President, Mohamed Abdelaziz, described Moroccan security enforcements as “worried” indicated that these enforcements are attempts to “hide the reality “and give a false picture on the situation in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.”

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Saharawi political prisoner starts open-ended hunger strike

The Saharawi political prisoner Yahia Mohamed el Hafed Izza has begun on Monday an open-ended hunger strike to drew attention to the arbitrary arrest that targeted him and call for fair trail, said statement of Collective of Saharawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA)। The Sahrawi political prisoner has been jailed at solitary confinement in the Moroccan prison of Ait Melloul since 2008। Yahia Mohamed is protesting harassment and mistreatment carried out against him, demanding his internationally guaranteed rights। Izza , member of Collective of Saharawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA), was arrested on March 01, 2008 following his participation in peaceful protest calling for the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination . he has been sentenced to 15 in prison.
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EP reaffirms right of Sahrawi people to self determination

The European Parliament "EP" on Wednesday ratified the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination "through a democratic referendum in accordance with United Nations resolutions."

In its annual report on "Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union", the EP reaffirmed "the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination through a democratic referendum in accordance with the UN resolutions to determine the status of Western Sahara ".

the EP urged the Polisario Front and Morocco to resume negotiations "to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara"
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Union Confederation of Saharawi Workers denounces the repression of its peaceful rallies

El Aaiun (occupied territories), Jan 16, 2012 (SPS) - The Union Confederation of Saharawi Workers (CSTS) denounced Sunday in the occupied city of El Aaiun, capital of Western Sahara, the brutal repression committed against its members during a peaceful rally in solidarity with Saharawi political prisoners of Gdeim Izik, in a statement a copy of it reached SPS.

The Confederation called for need to release all the Saharawi political prisoners, including those who arrested on the ground of Gdeim Izik camp, calling on the international community to dispatch an international commission of inquiry into the squalid economic, social and political conditions in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.

It appealed to Spain, as the former colonizing power of Western Sahara, to assume its historic responsibilities towards the ongoing situation in the Territory, urging the new Spanish government to respond to the legitimate rights of the Saharawis.

It should be recalled that CSTS organized, in coordination with Gdeim Izik Coordination, the rally outside what is called Moroccan National Council for Human Rights in the occupied city of El Aaiun

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Postponement the trail of Gdeim Izik detainees for indefinite date “unjustified”, says Saharawi organization

Rabat, Jan 14, 2012 (SPS) - The Collective of the Saharawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA) said that the postponement of the trail of Gdeim Izik detainees for indefinite date by Rabat military court “is not justified.”

“This military trail is an exceptional judgment, because it prejudices the terms of a fair trial, given that all detainees are civilians, including members of the dialogue committee delegate for Sahrawis exodus in Gdeim Izik camp as well as Saharawi defenders of human rights,” said a communiqué of the Collective of the Saharawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA).

The Moroccan authorities have been postponed trails of the Saharawi political prisoners, which is one of the Moroccan regime’s practices in his dealing with the Saharawi human rights activists within its policy of procrastination.

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Dozens Saharawis injured after violent intervention by Moroccan forces in occupied El Aaiun

El Aaiun (occupied territories), Jan 14, 2012 (SPS) - The Saharawi masses, who were observing Friday a peaceful sit-in in the occupied city of El Aaiun to drop the charges fabricated against Gdeim Izik political detainees, has subjected to violent interventions by the Moroccan forces of occupation, leaving dozens injured, informed a source of the Ministry of Occupied Territories and Communities Abroad.

These brutal interventions left at least Saharawis 40 injured, including 10 serious cases which was speedily transferred to hospital.

The Saharawi masses framed by the Gdeim Izik Coordination of Saharawi Marginalized Groups were peacefully protested before what is called the Moroccan National Council of Human Rights in the occupied city of El Aaiun, capital of Western Sahara, before they surprisingly dispersed by force by the Moroccan intelligence services and prevented from continuing the demonstration.

The intervention had been supervised by the Moroccan executioner Basha aiming to discourage the militants to continue the sit-in and dispersed them by force, whereas the second police order was to brutally intervene against Saharawi women, elderly, children and youth.

In relevant context, the group of the Moroccan executioner Abd El-Ali, known as Azwa, arrested many minors and young Saharawi, where they quickly taken.

Following is a list of names of wounded:

- Elderly Salhi Lahbib
- Fatma Hallab
- Maluha Hallab
- Hamadi Filalai
- Hadad Said
- Salma Limam
- Aglana Fadi
- Babit Kabara
- Dada Husein
- Family of Taleb Lamiat
- Ngia Mahjub Ali
- Husein Ansari
- Elderly Babit Lefgir
- Bachir Idrasi
- Salami Habuha
- Salam Numria
- Hasiba Balal
- Man Darja
- Ngia Lafrik
- Fala Shatuki
- Batul Labaihi
- Batal Dahan
- Jamila Algan
- Suad Bala
- Mariam Salami
- Mohamed Shatuki
- Mohamed Hadad
- Sleima Limam
- Nazha Al Khaldi
- Takalbut Agleijilha
- Ngia Busufa
- Bachir Sweih
- Abd Almotaleb Basiri
- Lala Andur
- Hamza Sahrawi
- Al Salma Nadur
- Izana Ambarak
- Manina Haddi
- Aziza Biza
- Mohamed Sabek
- Khalifa Fadel
- Agleila Barka
- Saadi Kaneita
- Zagman Lamat
- Salam Ahmaidaha
- Hafed Didi
- Zahra Al-Haj
- Salha Boutengiza

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UPyD: Mariano Rajoy called to take firm position on Western Sahara conflict

Madrid, Jan 14, 2012 (SPS) - Union, Progress and Democracy (Spanish acronym: UPyD) has called on the President of the Spanish new government, Mr. Mariano Rajoy, to take “a firm position on the settlement of Western Sahara conflict.”

In a communiqué issued Thursday, the Chief of the UPyD’s Foreign Policy, Mr. Fernando Maura, urged the president of the new Spanish government to take a firm position concerning the conflict of Western Sahara, during his forthcoming visit the Kingdom of Morocco.

“President of Spanish government must put on table the need for Moroccan Kingdom to comply with the UN resolutions on Western Sahara. On the contrary, Rajoy’s visit to Morocco will be visit of loyalty. This habit, which does not comply with the atmospheres of advanced democracy, should be abandoned,” the statement asserted.

UPyD stressed, indicating the communiqué, on the importance to change the position of the successive Spanish governments towards the relations with Morocco, especially with regard to the Western Sahara conflict.

UPyD hoped in this regard that the Spanish Popular Party (PP) would live up to its promise of working for the organization of self-determination referendum, which had declared last year by Mr. Jorge Moragas, secretary of international relations of the PP, before a Saharawi delegation.

In relevant context, UPyD recalled the Spanish Minister of Agriculture and Nutrition, Mr. Miguel Arias Cañete, which is currently visiting Brussels that the waters of Western Sahara “must remain out of any agreement between the EU and Morocco.”

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State Minister to represent President of Republic in inauguration of Mr. Daniel Ortega

Managua (Nicaragua), Jan 8, 2012 (SPS) - The Member of National Secretariat of the Frente Polisario and State Minister, Mr. Bashir Mustapha Sayed, will represent the President of the Saharawi Republic, Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz, in the inauguration ceremony of the re-elected Nicaraguan President, Mr. Daniel Ortega, according to the SADR Embassy in Nicaragua.

Mr. Ortega, 66 years old, will assume a new five-year term after being reelected in the elections of 6 November. Ortega's inauguration will take place in the Revolution Square on Tuesday, in the old center of Managua, where the National Assembly will be installed.

Nicaragua recognized the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic on September 6, 1979, and currently maintains diplomatic relations at the highest level

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Delegation of IWMF visits the Saharawi refugee camps

Shaheed Al Hafed (refugee camps), Jan 8, 2012 (SPS) - The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) is making a visit to the Saharawi refugee camps in order to see the situation of the Saharawi refugees.

SPS learned that the delegation consist of four people including the IWMF’s President, Ms. Maria Cruz.

It will held meetings with members of the National Secretariat of the Frente Polisario and government, in order to be informed on the status quo of the Saharawi cause and situation of the Saharawi refugees.

It will also make field visits to various national institutions and Wilayas including the Ministry of Information, the headquarters of the National Television and Media Archive and others.

A conference on the national experience in the media field will be organized Wednesday at headquarters of the Ministry of Information, in the presence of the American delegation

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IAJUWS calls on international observers to attend the trail of Saharawi prisoners of Gdeim Izik

Madrid, Jan 7, 2011 (SPS) - The International Association of Jurists for Western Sahara (IAJUWS) called Thursday on the international observers and lawyers to travel to Rabat to attend the trial against the Saharawi activists of Gdeim Izik camp, who are currently incarcerated in the Moroccan prison of Salé and to be taken next January 13 to a Moroccan military trail.

The Moroccan Military Tribunal proceeded to consider in the charges against 24 young Sahrawi who were arrested following the violent dismantling of Gdeim Izik camp on November 2010 by the Moroccan police and military forces

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UESARIO strongly condemns Moroccan authorities’ abuse on the Saharawi students at Casablanca University

Shaheed Al Hafed (refugee camps), Nov 26, 2011 (SPS) - The Saharawi Union of Students (UESARIO) has strongly condemned the blatant abuse committed by the Moroccan occupation authorities against the Saharawi students and expelling them from study on the ground of their attachment to Saharawi people’s right to self-determination.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Union underlined “when we strongly follow-up the developments on the student scene in the occupied part of our country and inside Moroccan universities, we renew our strong indignation and condemnation to such blatant abuse.”

The Union called on all its components everywhere to show solidarity with the Saharawi students who are still protesting at the Casablanca University, drawing attention of all the partners including international students, youth and trade unions organizations “for the immediate act to pressurize Moroccan occupation state, stop its systematic attack on the defenseless Saharawi students and its violation of their legitimate rights to express their attitudes and opinions about their political cause as well as respecting their right to continue the study.”

It also expressed deep regret on the international community’s disregard to the ongoing gross human rights violations in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.
“Despite the Moroccan state continuation to encroach the spirit of the international Charter and law that guarantee the free expression of opinions and positions as well as the legitimacy to claim for the legitimate rights including the right to follow-up study, the international community is still ignoring the adoption of an international mechanism to monitor human rights and report it in the Territory,” asserted the statement.

The Moroccan occupation authorities has been carrying out a huge campaign of oppression and abuse against the Saharawi students at the Casablanca University, who are currently holding a sit-in to demand their legitimate right to register in the academic year 2011-2012. (SPS)

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Polisario Front hopes a positive role from Spain with the new government

Algiers, Nov 26, 2011 (SPS) - The Polisario Front’s Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Ahmed Boukhari, expressed Thursday his hope that electing a new government in Spain “would open a new page of relations with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.”

In an interview with Algeria’s International Radio, Mr. Boukhari wished that the election of a new government in Spain under the leadership of the Popular Party (right) “will open the door towards a new positive role played by this country.”

He said “there is a new opportunity for such change on the Spanish political arena,” adding “I suppose this role will be positive and effective, unlike the role of the former government (Socialist Party) which was negative and in favor of the Moroccan proposals.”

The Saharawi diplomat denounced in the same regard the French position towards the Saharawi cause and pressures exerted by France, in particular through its Veto, over the European countries and its backing to Moroccan occupation in order to disrupt the efforts and acts of solidarity with the Saharawi cause.

He recalled that the Saharawi cause has a great support in the world, regretting for the fact that the battle “is limited in Europe at the level of parliaments, mass-media and various non-governmental organizations for the defense of human rights, highlighting that this pressure “will lose its effectiveness over time with the economic circumstance hitting Europe due to the political changes of some European countries.

Concerning the issue of human rights, the Polisario Representative indicated that there is international understanding on Morocco’s violation to human rights in a clear and brutal mode in Western Sahara, insisting for the protection of the Saharawi population especially through the establishment of a mechanism to monitor human rights and to denounce all violations within the international organs.

He pointed out that all attempts that fall in this context hampered the position adopted by France, and thus denied the Saharawi people to exercise their right to self-determination.

He therefore denounced the illegitimate exploitation of Western Sahara wealth by Morocco with the complicity of some European countries, stressing on the need to find a solution to this issue in order to put an end to these abuses. (SPS)

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British NGO calls for protecting human rights in occupied Dakhla

London, October 10, 2011 (SPS) Western Sahara Campaign in Britain, is calling to sign a petition urging the UN to protect human rights in Dakhla and investigate the events in this city, said Saturday in London Mr. Ken Ritchie, Executive Member of the organization.

"We urge the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct an urgent investigation in Dakhla to shed light on the events in the city under siege since September 25, and put a mechanism for monitoring human rights in order to stop the abuses perpetrated against the Saharawi people ", he said.

Mr. Ritchie also asked for the expansion of the mandate of the UN mission for the referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to monitor human rights in the Saharawi occupied territories.

Several influential British personalities, including parliamentarians, politicians and trade union leaders, signed the petition, in particular Lord Avebury, Cathy Jamieson (member) and Dave Prentis, general secretary of UNISON, one of the three largest British trade unions.

"A copy of this message will be sent to British Foreign Minister, William Hague, and the British government to call for greater influence within the UN Security Council to find a solution to the conflict based on the principles of the international law that respects the will of the Saharawi people," Mr. Ritchie added.

Mr. Ritchie regretted the "biased" position of France on the Western Sahara issue, which he said "was due to its economic interests in the region." (SPS)

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