What Sahrawi government expects from Portugal is its support for legality and defense of human rights, including peoples' right to self-determination and independence (Communiqué)

Bir Lehlou (Liberated Territories), 22 July, 2025 (SPS) - In a Communiqué issued by the Ministry of Foreign and African Affairs, the Sahrawi Government stressed that what it expects from Portugal is its support for legality and defense of human rights, including peoples' right to self-determination and independence.

Text of the Communiqué:

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

Ministry of Foreign and African Affairs

Communiqué

The Sahrawi Government has taken note of the joint statement between Portugal and the Government of Morocco, the occupying state, issued today, in which Morocco continues its efforts to implicate some countries in its failed colonial adventure and its defiance of international law and United Nations resolutions as well as the rulings of international and regional organisations and courts, in addition to its attempt to evade the bilateral agreement concluded with the Sahrawi party, after 16 years of war, under the auspices of the United Nations and the Organisation of the African Unity, which provided for the holding of a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people as a peaceful, realistic and compromise-based solution that would turn the page on war and instability in the region.

The Sahrawi Government wishes to remind Portugal of its principled and historic position in support of the right of the East Timorese people to self-determination and its categorical rejection of the occupation and annexation of their territory by force, as well as its insistence on upholding its status as the Administering Power of the Territory and its relevant international responsibilities. That position contributed greatly to the efforts of the United Nations that culminated in the holding of the popular consultation under international supervision in which the East Timorese people affirmed their strong attachment to their right to self-determination, independence and the establishment of their own independent State.

What the Sahrawi Government expects from the Portuguese government and all political and social forces in Portugal is to align themselves with legality and law and to defend human rights, including peoples’ right to self-determination and independence, which is clearly enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic and in all relevant international conventions and instruments.

Bir Lehlou, 22 July 2025