SAHARA
PRESS SERVICE
SAHARA
PRESS SERVICE27 February 2004
H. E. Kofi Annan
Secretary General of the United Nations
The United Nations
New York
NY 10017
Excellency,
On behalf of the Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA), I would like
to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the issue of Western Sahara.
I would like to express our sincere thanks for your tireless efforts to find
a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Western Sahara. I would also like
to express our appreciation for the significant contribution of your Personal
Envoy Mr. James Baker III the search for peace in this important area of
the world.
The members of AWSA wish also to express their frustration and disappointment
at the endless delays of the referendum of self-determination for the Saharawi
people. The delays of the implementation of the UN peace plan for Western
Sahara are due to the obstructions of Morocco, which seeks to derail the
referendum process. Such delays have serious implications not only for the
future of UN involvement in this issue but also for the Saharawi people who
continue to suffer as a result of the continuos occupation of their homeland.
Saharawis in occupied Western Sahara continue to face imprisonment, torture,
harassment and intimidation. They are denied the basic human rights of assembly
and freedom of speech. They are not allowed to travel freely. Over 500 Saharawi
are still 'disappeared' and 150 Saharawi POWs are still held by Morocco.
Meanwhile, Saharawis in the refugee camps continue to face exile in one of
the most harsh and inhospitable areas of the earth. Their food and medical
supplies are dwindling while they wait for the promised referendum.
We believe that the Saharawi people have waited too long and have been very
patient. Their leadership acted honourably and cooperated with the UN in
good faith. The Saharawi people deserve to be given a chance to decide their
own future according to the UN decolonisation doctrine.
We urge you to use your good offices to convince Morocco to cooperate and
implement without further delay UN resolutions concerning Western Sahara.
The UN must not give in to Morocco's attempts to change the latest peace
plan.
We call upon you to put pressure on Morocco to release all Saharawi prisoners
of conscience and to put an end to its grave violations of human rights in
the Western Sahara.
Yours sincerely,
Lesley Osborne
AWSA Secretary
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