WEEKLY
NEWS
original french
23.-29.09.2001
Commemoration of the second anniversary of El Aaiun's uprising in September 1999
Saharawi
students, workers of Phosboucraâ, and unemployed graduates have
organized a week of activities from the 22nd to the 29th of September
2001 in El Aaiun on the topic "Let us never forget, let us always
remember." The event is organized in coordination with the Saharawi
human rights advocates at the main office of the FVJSAH (Sahara Truth
and Justice Forum).
The program began with a commemorative exhibition of photos and
documents on the riots of 1999, the launch of a fundraising event to
benefit Saharawi political prisoners, and a round table discussion on
the subject "Before and after: situation of those sectors of society
who participated in the uprising of 1999."
September 24, was the "Day of the Student," focused on the subject of
union and resistance including an exhibition of thesis of Saharawi
students prersented in Moroccan universities and a debate around the
subject "The Saharawi students' movement: reality and
perspectives."
On 27 September, during a popular gathering the events of "September
1999" have been evoked, with testimonies of Saharawi victims of
torture, recitation of poems, songs, reading of letters, and official
statements of solidarity with the political prisoners. Moroccan
police and other security forces had set up check points along the
major roads and streets leading to the gathering but this did not
prevent the Saharawis from participating in huge numbers.
On September 28, 2001 there was a colloquium on human rights in
Western Sahara ... will discuss the topic "To put an end to humans
rights violations in Western Sahara". The subject "Without rest while
our fellow countrymen remain in prison" is discussed the 29th of
September 2001, "The Day of the Political Prisoner." There will be
visits to Saharawi political prisoners in El Aaiún prison.
Former Saharawi prisoners, who were abducted and put in prison during
the uprising, will offer testimonies, as well as letters and official
press releases declaring solidarity with the political prisoners will
be read.
Background
info see:
Weekly
news 39/ 1999
Human
Rights in Western Sahara by WSO
25.09.01
The eighty years old mother of Sidi Mohamed Daddach, who lives in the
refugee camps, launched an appeal
to the international community for the liberation of her son.
(AFAPREDESA, SPS)
Mohamed Daddach decided to intensify his action and to fast 48 hours per week as from October 1 2001. Up to now he had been on a 24 hour per week fast. It is expected that other Saharawi prisoners will join him and go in a hunger strike. (corr.)
The
collection of signatures on petitions for the liberation of the
political prisoners is going on.
You can sign the appeal on line (english,
french,
spanish,
italian,
german)
or download and print out petition forms for the collection of
signatures (english,
french,
spanish,
italian,
german).
24.09.01
Algeria
Regarding the Western Sahara issue, the Algerian foreign minister
reiterated Algeria's already known stand, which is self-determination
for the Saharan people. This issue was at the centre of discussions
between Belkhadem and the visiting British Foreign Office Minister
Ben Bradshaw. Bradshaw was received the following day in Rabat by
Morocco's Prime Minister, A. Youssoufi. Western Sahara issue was also
discussed with the Moroccan officials.
24.09.01
56th session of the UN General Assembly
Abdallah Baali, Algerian Permanent Representative to the UN, in his
speech before the GA, estimated that the issue of Western Sahara was
dealt with in a 'guilt-ridden manner' in the SG's last report
regarding the activities of the UN, which evokes only the invitation
made to the parties to discuss a project of autonomy.
(APS)
26.09.01
Morocco
Omar Hilal is the new permanent ambassador of Morocco to the European
Office of the UN in Geneva.
26.09.01
Algeria
Adelkader Messahel, Algerian Minister in charge of African Affairs,
reiterated to the Algerian radio that his country rejects the project
presented by the UN and James Baker , because it does not come within
the framework of decolonisation as well as the Saharan people's right
to self-determination.
27.09.01
SADR
The Saharawi Information Ministry announced that «SADR has
established diplomatic relations at the level of ambassadors with the
Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of Uganda.»
27.09.01
Australia
The Australian Senate adopted a motion
on the issue of Western Sahara, which «urges the Commonwealth
Government of Australia to make representations to:
(i) the UN, urging it to proceed as soon as possible in organising
the long overdue referendum of self-determination, in accordance with
the UN/OAU Peace Plan and all relevant UN resolutions, and
(ii) the Moroccan Government to fully cooperate with the UN and
respect human rights in the Occupied Territories of Western
Sahara.»
The motion was moved by the Senator Lyn Allison, of Australian
Democrats Party.
COMING UP...
The car race Total-Dakar Rallye 2002, with departure on 28 December 2001 from Arras, France, will cross again Western Sahara.
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