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Bir Lahlu (liberated territories), May 22, 2009 (SPS) - The National Secretariat (NS) of the Polisario Front reiterated its willingness to cooperate with international efforts to resume negotiations with the Kingdom of Morocco, under the auspices of the United Nations, within a “clear and precise framework”, for the decolonization of Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa, according to a statement received at the SPS.
During its 5th ordinary session Thursday chaired by the Head of State and Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Mohamed Abdul Aziz, the SN recalled that the signing of the cease-fire between the conflicting parties is based on the holding of a free, fair and equitable referendum to decide the fate of the Saharawi people, stating that "any contact with MINURSO should be solely on that basis."
The NS expressed its concern at the situation of human rights, regretting that the Security Council could not include human rights monitoring in the mandate of MINURSO, despite dozens of reports and testimonies of the international community by active bodies in the field of human rights.
It regretted, in this regard, the opposition of France on the need to respect human rights in Western Sahara. "Such attitude, in particular of France, the cradle of the first universal declaration of human rights, is contrary to the international community's efforts for peace in the region."
In addition, the NS called on the Spanish Government to assume its legal and historical responsibility towards the Saharawi people, in accordance with the requirements of international legitimacy.
Welcoming the international campaign for the dismantling of the Moroccan wall of shame in Western Sahara, the NS called on the international community to end this crime against humanity that continues to cause the loss of innocent lives through millions of anti-personnel mines scattered along the wall that divides the Western Sahara and its people to two parties.
It also appealed to Governments, companies and individuals to refrain from being involved with Morocco in signing agreements or partnerships that include Western Sahara and its territorial waters, estimating that granting to Morocco the advanced status and signature of the fisheries agreement with the EU constitute a violation of international law.
The NS recalled that the SADR demanded in January to all parties, international organizations and Governments, including the European Union to ensure that the Saharawi territorial waters including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), are explicitly excluded from their fishing agreements with Morocco.
The NS condemned the Moroccan repression, expressing support for the Sahrawi political prisoners, including Mohamed Yahya Alhafedh Iaaza and his mates observing an unlimited hunger strike since April 4, in the Moroccan prisons of Inzegan and Ait Mellul, "in total indifference by the Moroccan authorities to their legitimate demands."
The NS reiterated its call on the international community to put pressure on the Moroccan Government for the immediate and unconditional release of the Saharawi political prisoners and to shed light on the fate of more than 500 missing and 121 Saharawi prisoners of war. (SPS)
020/090/TRA 221600 MAY 09 SPS
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