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London,
27/05/2007 (SPS) The Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara
seeks to create an international movement of solidarity with the
Saharawi people similar to the once anti-apartheid movement,
indicated Mr. Ronny Hansen Chairman of the Committee.
In a statement to the Algerian Press Service, Mr. Ronny estimated
that the "repression with which the Moroccan authorities reacted to
the Intifadha of the Saharawi students in the Moroccan universities
destroyed the Moroccan allegation on its respect of human rights".
Concerning the open letter recently addressed to the Moroccan
government by more than 40 Norwegian organisation, Mr. Hansen said
that Morocco "likes to present itself as a country where freedom of
expression and human rights are respected but the pursuit in the
illegal occupation of the Western Sahara and the reports on the
serious violations in the Western Sahara and in the Universities are
a proof" that Morocco is far from been respectful of such
principles.
In the face of this situation many Norwegians, Mr. Hansen affirms,
"are concerned about the lack of respect of the Saharawi people’s
rights". This explains, according to him, the fact that the
Committee he chairs does not only include individuals and
organisations but also political parties from all tendencies". He
recalled, as a proof on this claim that the last letter sent to the
Moroccan government "beneficiated of the support of the youth
organisations from all Norwegian political parties, including the
Socialist left party in addition to the Norwegian human rights
organisations such as the Norwegian refugee council".
The Committee, which is working since 1993 to establish a large
alliance in Norway and at the international level for the support of
the Saharawi people, aims to create a large movement of solidarity
with the Saharawi people like the international anti-Apartheid
movement that enabled South Africa to defeat the racist regime and
build a multiethnic society.
Mr. Thomas Colin Archer, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee
Council, one of the most influent humanitarian organisations and a
signatory of the open letter recently sent to the Moroccan
government, estimated that "what is worrying is the fact that the
Moroccan authorities increase the acts of repression against the
Saharawi students and the human rights activists at a moment when
the UN is preparing to organise direct negotiations between the two
parties for the first time in ten years".
According to Mr. Colin, "the measures undertaken by the Moroccan
government does not reflect the good will that the UN Security
Council asked the negotiating parties, Morocco and POLISARIO Front,
to give proof of.. (SPS)
020/090/000 271300 Mai 07 SPS
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