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NEWS |
original french
21.12.-31.12.2003
28.12.03
26th Telefonica-Dakar Rally
The organisers of the Telefonica-Dakar motor rally, have obtained a
green light from the Saharawi authorities to cross Western Sahara
after having undertaken to respect the conditions set by the
Polisario Front (geographical map with correct borders, escort by
MINURSO, political neutrality etc.) (SPS)
28.12.03
Sweden
The Swedish parliament approved the report of its Foreign Affairs
Committee (Utrikesutskottets betänkande 2003/04:UU3) which
expressed its full support for the role of the UN in Western Sahara,
for the peace plan as well as for the present mediation efforts
towards finding a quick and lasting solution to the conflict. They
declare that the Saharawi people should be able to enjoy the right to
self-determination and decolonisation. The report insists on Sweden
approaching other countries and international organisations with a
view to increasing their humanitarian aid to the refugees.
29.12.03
Spain
The Aragon Cortes (Parliament) gave unanimous approval to an
"Institutional Declaration" asking the Spanish government to renew,
in the Security Council's forthcoming debates their support for the
Baker plan in order to push the Moroccan authorities to accept it
also. The parliamentarians also welcomed the Saharawi people's
acceptance of the plan.
19.12.03
Amnesty International
In its report
on human rights defenders
throughout the world, A.I. notes that dozens of Saharawi families of
disappeared, human rights defenders working on the issue of
disappearance, as well as Saharawi activists, have been the object of
harassment and intimidation by Moroccan authorities over recent
months. Some of them had been members of the Sahara branch of the
Forum for Truth and Justice, banned on 18 June 2003. A.I. is
concerned by the fact that peaceful expression of opinion by them on
self-determination and human rights and communication between them
and foreign human rights organisations should be considered as
illegal acts by their justice system.
25.12.03
Harassment
Mohammed Daddach and Hmad Hammad were once again subjected to
bickering over procedures and intimidation by Moroccan authorities.
They went by car to Smara to see Nassiri Ahmed, a political prisoner
released on 21.12.03 after serving a prison sentence. At the police
barrier of the royal gendarmerie at the entrance to the town, they
were arrested and subjected to interrogation on the reasons for their
visit. Their car was thoroughly searched. After an hour, they were
released but followed right to the house of Nassiri's family. For the
whole of their stay they were watched. As they left the town, they
were still followed by the royal gendarmerie for about ten kilometres
out of Smara.
26.12.03
Saharawi political prisoners in El Ayoun's black prison decided to
renew their struggle for their rights. They will begin a hunger
strike on the 9, 10 and 11 January next and envisage proceeding to an
unlimited strike. They will ask for support from human rights
defenders throughout the world. (AFAPREDESA)
24.12.03
Prisoners of war
From 2-16 December delegates of the ICRC, including a doctor, visited
the Moroccan prisoners in the hands of the Polisario Front. They
talked individually with 291 of the 614 prisoners still held in
captivity, of whom 188 have been held for over 20 years. The object
of the visit was to evaluate the conditions of detention and the
progress of their state of physical and psychological health. (...)
The ICRC remains very concerned about the physical and mental state
of these prisoners and reiterates its appeal that all should be
liberated without delay, in conformity with the provisions of
international humanitarian law. (ICRC)
22.12.03
Postponement sine die of the summit of the MAU
The summit of the Maghreb Arab Union (MAU), due to be held on 23 and
24 December in Algiers, was postponed sine die by the Council of
Foreign Affairs Ministers of the organisation meeting in Algiers. The
presidency of the organisation was entrusted to Libya.
24.12.03
Statement
President Mouamar El Khadafi made the following statement to the
Libyan press agency: "(...) The question of the Sahara is at the top
of the agenda for the next summit, and this will be held after the
coming presidential elections in Algeria. We must inform ourselves
about the efforts of James Baker, in charge of the Sahara question.
The date of the next summit of the Union of the Arab Maghreb will be
agreed and will take place in Libya after dialogue with the member
countries.
25-29.01.04
Tifariti (liberated territories of SADR)
International march to the wall of shame in Western Sahara
"For peace and self-determination for the Saharawi people", "Demand
that the UN keeps its commitments". Organised by Spanish associations
of solidarity in collaboration with the European Coordination of
support for the Saharawi people, this march to the "wall" which
separates Saharawi families is to denounce the suffering of the
Saharawi people who have been waiting for 28 years to decide their
own future. Its aim is to make the UN and the international community
implement the Security Council's resolutions. See Information,
program,
(at the moment only in Spanish)
13 February
2004: BRUSSELS
Sahara Blues - Mariem
Hassan and Leyoad
(Western Sahara) Information and reservations: 02 / 230.31.40.
e-mail senghor.tn@chello.be.
21-28.02.04, Saharawi Refugee Camps: Sahara Marathon 2004. Further information: http://www.saharamarathon.com/
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