Révolte des Sahraouis - Revolt of the Saharawis - Revuelta de los Saharauis

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U.S. COMMITTEE FOR THE RELEASE OF SAHRAWI POLITICAL PRISONERS

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION WILL NOT BE SILENCED IN WESTERN SAHARA

19 July 2005

The U.S. Committee for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners joins with the international community in condemning in the strongest terms, the silencing by illegal arrest, the symbol of Sahrawi human rights defenders, Ali Salem Tamek. The illegal arrest was undertaken by Moroccan authorities on the 18th of July when Ali Salem Tamek returned to Western Sahara from Spain, where had been receiving medical treatment needed as a result from previous imprisonments.

The international community should not remain passive when Morocco is flagrantly violating the basic human rights in the occupied territories of the Western Sahara and the incapacity of the UN and Minurso to protect the Sahrawi civilian population in the occupied territories is once more reaffirmed.

It is past time for the U.S. Congress and the American people to join with the Sahrawi people living in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, in voicing their support of a long promised United Nations referendum vote for self-determination. Morocco claims to be a friend of the United States and if that doubtful claim is true, then she should have no problem allowing freedom of expression in Western Sahara.  

U.S. Western Sahara Foundation

Appeal

Washington, D.C.-- U.S. Western Sahara Foundation Chairman Suzanne Scholte called on Morocco to release jailed Sahrawi human rights activist Alí Salem Tamek.  "Once again the Morocco regime has shown its complete disregard for human rights, international law, and the dignity of the Sahrawi people who have been subjected to the brutality of this regime for over 30 years,' said Scholte. 

"We join in solidarity with the international movement of human rights organizations and activists in calling for the immediate release of Ali Salem Tamek, and all Sahrawi civilians and POWs held in Morocco's infamous prisons."

"Morocco wants to be seen as a civilized country, yet it continues gross violations of human rights against the Sahrawi people, torturing and jailing and harassing Sahrawi men, women and even children and continuing its brutal occupation of their land."

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