PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE INTERGROUP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT "PEACE FOR THE SAHARAWI PEOPLE" ON THE HUNGER STRIKE OF 131 SAHARAWI PRISONERS DETAINED IN EL AYOUN JAILS
	Margot Kessler and the intergroup of the European Parliament "Peace for the Saharawi People" express its deepest concern about the condition of the 131 Saharawi prisoners on hunger strike since 24th December 2001 in El Ayoun jails by Moroccan authorities, particularly the notorious "carcel negra". The intergroup condemns the degrading and inhuman treatments inflicted on the Saharawi prisoners by the Moroccan authorities. It considers that the Moroccan authorities are fully responsible for any deterioration in the health of the 131 prisoners on hunger strike. It further calls on the European Union, the United Nations, and human rights organisations to put pressure on the Moroccan authorities to free the prisoners. The EP intergroup calls on the international community not to remain indifferent in the face of such gross violations of human rights: it is the responsibility of everybody to come to the rescue of the people whose lives are presently in danger. The European Parliament intergroup "Peace for the Saharawi People" also denounces the violence exerted by the Moroccan security forces against the group of 70 mothers and relatives of the prisoners when on 2nd January 2002 they gathered to protest against the conditions of detention of their sons and brothers. All these events show that the discourse on the "democratisation" of Morocco is a façade hiding the same abuses as in the past against the Saharawi people. The intergroup reminds the international community that the only solution to such violations of human rights and to the conflict of Western Sahara lies in the strict respect of international law and the rapid implementation of the 1991 UN Peace Plan towards a free and transparent referendum of self-determination for the Saharawi people. 11.01.02

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