SAHARA PRESSE SERVICE

SPS
OCCUPIED TERRITOIRES/INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Saharawi NGOs call international bodies to denounce human rights abuses in occupied territories of Western Sahara

Chahid El Hafed, 11/12/2004 (SPS) the Association of the Families of Saharawi Prisoners and Disappeared (AFAPREDESA) and the Saharawi Jurists' Union (UJS) called "all international Bodies, organisations and associations to denounce human rights abuses perpetrated by Moroccan authorities against Saharawi citizens in occupied territories of Western Sahara", indicated a joint communiqué the two NGOs publicised Friday.

On the occasion of the International Day for Human Rights celebrated yesterday all through the world, the two NGOs called the UN "to make use of all its influence to compel the Government of Morocco to abide by the international legality allowing the implementation of the UN's resolutions so as Saharawi people can freely exercise their right to self-determination", and to "pressure Morocco to allow the Medias and international observers free access to occupied territories", of Western Sahara.

The two NGOs reported "two cases of political assassinations in 2004", perpetrated by Moroccan colonial authorities, in reference to the assassinations of the late Chouihi Sliman, last April in the headquarters of Moroccan Royal Gendarme in Goulmine (south Morocco), and Haddi Hassan, perpetrated last May in the prison of El Aaiun m in addition to "23 cases of political detention, most of whom still in prison in the Carcel Negra of El Aaiun", they indicated.

They also mentioned the banning imposed by Moroccan authorities on "the constitution of Saharawi political or cultural associations", and the intimidations and harassment the colonial services exercise on Saharawi human rights activists, such as Ali Salem Tamek, who waged a bitter struggle to have the right to get a passport and to travel abroad to get medical care, in addition to Mrs, Aminetou Haidar et Mr. Bouzeid Salek, two former political detainees and human rights activists who are permanently closely watched by the authorities of the Makhzen.

On another hand, the two associations condemned "the destruction of historical monuments in the city of Dakhla, what could only be considered as a flagrant violation to the conventions of the UNESCO on the protection of historical and cultural monuments", wrote the text.

AFAPREDESA and UJS had noted the cases of expulsion of four journalists last January, May and June, respectively of a Spanish, two French and two Norwegian journalists.

The NGOs also condemned "the continuous plundering of Saharawi Natural resources by the Government of Morocco, violating thus the judicial verdict of the International Court of Justice issued in 2000, which reaffirmed the illegality" of the accords signed by some foreign companies with Morocco to exploit Saharawi natural resources.

They finally hailed "the humanitarian initiatives undertaken by Polisario Front, consisting in the release of groups of Moroccan prisoners of war", caught by Saharawi liberation Army during the different battles of liberation against Moroccan military forces of invasion, added the text. (SPS)

020/090/000/TRD 111716 DEC 04 SPS

SPS
OCCUPIED TERRITOIRES/INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
UNFS calls to the raising of the military siege imposed on occupied territories of Western Sahara

Chahid El Hafed, 11/12/2004 (SPS) The Saharawi Women's National Union (UNFS) called Friday all the international Bodies and human rights organisations to pressure Morocco to raise the military and Media siege it imposes on occupied territories of Western Sahara.

In a communiqué publicised by the UNFS on the occasion of the International day for Human Rights celebrated yesterday all over the world, the Union called "the international Bodies and human rights organisations to pressure Morocco Government to raise the military and Media siege its colonial authorities are imposing on occupied territories of Western Sahara".

On another hand, Saharawi women denounced "the systematic practice of imprisonment, kidnapping and torture perpetrated against Saharawi population in occupied territories of Western Sahara and South Morocco", by the Moroccan torturers.

The UNFS also called to the "destruction of the wall of shame that divided the Saharawi families for more than 30 years", and which is deforming the territory and can but be considered as a crime against humanity.

The communiqué finally hailed the role played by the Association of the Families of Saharawi Prisoners and Disappeared (AFAPREDESA) and the Saharawi Jurists' Union (UJS) in the defence of human rights in Western Sahara. (SPS)

020/090/000 111805 DEC 04 SPS

SPS
SADR/MOROCCO/UN
UN should "put an end to the Moroccan incitation to the return to war", declares Mr. Khadad

Chahid El Hafed, 11/12/04 (SPS) Me. Emhamed Khadad, member of Polisario Front's National Secretariat and Coordinator with the Minurso, called the UN on Saturday "to assume its responsibilities and put an end to the Moroccan incitation to the return to war", denouncing a new violation "of the cease-fire Morocco continues to perpetrate with impunity".

In a communiqué publicised Saturday, the Saharawi Coordinator with the Minurso informed about a new act of violation of the cease-fire this time perpetrated against a Saharawi nomad, who "was the target to Moroccan armed forces shooting in the area of Amgala (the region of Mahairis)".

The Saharawi diplomat condemned this new proof of irresponsibility of the Moroccan Government, which seems lately to want to push towards the "return to war with all its consequences on peace and stability in the region", underlined the communiqué.

Here is the complete text of the communiqué, of which SPS received a copy, and which gives the circumstances of the new Moroccan violation of the international legality.

"
POLISARIO FRONT
---------------
Presidency
Mr. Álvaro DE SOTO
United Nations Secretary General's
Special Representative for Western Sahara

El Aaiún

Mister Special Representative

In December the 10, 2004, a Saharawi nomad was the target to Moroccan armed forces shooting in the area of Amgala (the region of Mahairis).

Mr. Mohamed Mohamed Brahim Sidahmed, who was looking for his cattle of sheep in this area not far from the defensive wall of Moroccan forces of occupation, was in fact injured due to the shooting of Moroccan soldiers.

The incident that happened in the mid-day caused the cutting out of the fingers of one of the hands of the victim, who is now in the hospital of Mahairis.

This dangerous act from the Moroccan forces is a new addition to other violations of the cease-fire Morocco continues to perpetrate with impunity, to name especially the organised expulsion of illegal immigrants towards liberated areas of SADR, the reinforcement of the defensive wall in particular with new mine fields, in which some mines were produced in 2002 besides the installation of new radars and other means of surveillance, tapping and intelligence, in violation to all accords the two parties signed with the Minurso.

Thus, Morocco turns its back to the efforts of the international community and hinder, now more than ever, all the ways to peace. Such an action can but be registered within the framework of a policy of defiance of which Morocco assume full responsibility and consequences.

Polisario Front would like to draw your attention as well as Secretary General's and Security Council's on the seriousness of the situation and demands that the adequate measures be taken against the party that is accountable for this degradation. Polisario Front can not stay with its arms folded in front of the pursuit of the Moroccan provocations. The UN, thus, is called to assume its responsibilities and put an end to the Moroccan incitation to the return to war with all its consequences on peace and stability in the region.

Best Regards
Emhamed Khadad
Polisario Front's National Secretariat member
and Coordinator with the Minurso ". (SPS)

060/090/100 112256 DEC 04 SPS