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20.10.00
Human rights
The OMCT, world organisation against torture, launched an urgent
appeal on the occasion of the arrest in Western Sahara by the
Moroccan army of two children who were part of a group of eight young
people (see Week 41). The OMCT is demanding that the Moroccan
authorities "take all the necessary measures to guarantee the
physical and psychological well-being of the two minors (...)", that
they should set up "an impartial and exhaustive inquiry on their
presumed arbitrary arrest, torture and ill treatment" and that they
should guarantee "respect for human rights and fundamental liberties
in the whole country.
21.10.00
SADR
The Saharawi parliament (Conseil national, CN) opened its autumn
session. It has to debate in sub-committees the record of each
minister and to examine the government's programme for 2001. The
Prime Minister indicated that his team had realised "a large part of
the programme for national action drawn up by the 10th Congress of
the Polisario Front in August 1999." The president of the CN stressed
in his opening speech, "the determination of the Saharawi people to
enjoy fully its inalienable right to freedom and independence". "The
status quo cannot continue, he added, the colonial fait accompli
cannot last longer and will will not stand by with our arms folded."
(SPS)
23.10.00
Spanish state
Three members of the autonomous government of the Baleiric Islands,
visiting the refugee camps, expressed "on a personal basis" their
support for the Saharawi people and its struggle for
self-determination and independence. They were part of a group of 140
people, including 47 in political posts, who went to Tindouf from 19
to 23 October. The Saharawi Prime Minister confided to them that the
Saharawi army has been training for the last six months for a return
to the armed struggle, which could start when the next resolution of
the Security Council is issued.
23-24.10.00
India
The Indian Minister for Foreign Affairs, on an official visit of
Algeria, indicated that his country still supports the relevant
resolutions of the UN on the question of Western Sahara."There is
therefore, in this context, no change of policy", he stated.
(El
Moudjahid, 25.10.00)
25.10.00
Report of the Secretary General S/2000/1029
Kofi Annan suggested to the Security Council to extend the mandate of
MINURSO by four months. He made an assessment of the meetings in
Geneva and Berlin: no progress towards resolving the main problems,
except that Morocco has, for the first time, acknowledged holding 207
Saharawi political prisoners. Confidence-building measures (contacts
between families on both sides of the wall) were put on hold because
of Morocco's refusal, who also opposed any discussion on the problem
of appeals. The Polisario Front maintained its position of remaining
faithful to the peace plan.
In response to the exhortation of the Security Council, which on 26
July asked the parties «to try to agree upon a mutually
acceptable political solution», Morocco had made a proposal in
Berlin for «a sincere and frank dialogue» «as long as
Morocco's national sovereignty and territorial integrity were
respected.» Kofi Annan now requires Morocco to prove that it is
ready «to offer or support some devolution of governmental
authority, for all inhabitants and former inhabitants of [Western
Sahara], that is genuine, substantial and in keeping with
international norms.» If not, he will continue with the
referendum process and MINURSO «should begin hearing the pending
appeals (...) on an expedited basis».
26.10.00
Human rights
13 Saharawi students, arrested in Rabat on 18 May during a
demonstration in solidarity with Saharawi students in Marrakech
(see
Weeks 20 and 21), have appeared before the court of appeal
in Rabat. According to AFAPREDESA, they have been subjected to
torture and ill treatment and held in solitary confinement for 15
days. They are accused of being part of a non-authorised
demonstration, of rebellion, of endangering public order and
destruction of public property. The session lasted six hours. The
verdict is awaited on 7 November. The lawyers of the accused,
mandated by AMDH, demanded the provisional release of the accused,
which the court refused. They are :
1. Zain Said
Nº dossier 60.860
2. Masli Mohamed
Nº dossier 60.861
3. Haidra Fadli
Nº dossier 60.862
4. Boutaleb Abdelmajid
Nº dossier 60.863
5. Abba Mohamed
Nº dossier 60.864
6. Boutimit Boujemaâ
Nº dossier 60.865
7. Bouih El Houssein
Nº dossier 60.866
8. Sabti Mohamed Ali
Nº dossier 60.867
9. Hnan Mansour
Nº dossier 60.868
10. Aouba Moulay Salek
Nº dossier 60.869
11. Tarrouzi Moulay
Nº dossier 60.870
12. Taib Mohamed Fadel
Nº dossier 60.871
13. Adnan Brahim
Nº dossier 60.872
26.10.00
Algeria
The Algerian Committee of solidarity with the Saharawi people
organised a meeting in Annaba in the presence of a Spanish delegation
comprising Carmelo Ramirez, president of the Spanish federation of
institutions in solidarity with the Sahara (FEDISSAH), Nieves
Castelles, representative of the National platform of associations of
support for the Saharawi people and Carlos Cristobal, PSOE, member of
the parliament of Navarra and representing the 17 Spanish intergroups
"For the Referendum in Western Sahara", as well as the SADR
ambassador and Polisario Front representatives in Algiers.
(aps)
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