Appeal to all members of the Security Council by the Netherlands Foundation for Self-determination of Western Sahara

23.07.02

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Mr. Jeremy Greenstock

with copies to :
- the Ambassador of Spain in The Netherlands
- the Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands
- the Foreign Committee of the Lower House of the Parliament of The Netherlands

Mister President,

We would be very grateful if you would bring this letter to the attention of all members of the Security Council.

Appeal to all members of the Security Council

The „Netherlands Foundation for Self-determination of Western Sahara‰ appeals on all members of the Security Council of the United Nations ˆ indeed on all member states of the UN - to be firm on the principle of self-determination with regard to Western Sahara.

The only just option of those presented in the February 19th report of the Secretary General that is in respect of the basic principle of self-determination, of non-discrimination and international legality, is the holding of a fair and free referendum of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. All other options would be a flagrant violation of those principles. The Framework proposal is a programmed integration of Western Sahara into Morocco, against the will of the people of Western Sahara.

The latest obstacle put forward by Morocco, by presenting 130.000 appeals against the MINURSO list of voters, is a technical problem that can be solved.

The Netherlands Foundation for Self-determination of Western Sahara calls upon the members of the Security Council to honour their obligations towards the people of Western Sahara, which were taken since 1963, when the territory was included by the Fourth Committee on the list of non-self-governing territories.

The Netherlands Foundation for Self-determination of Western Sahara urges the UN General Assembly and the Security Council in particular to take, immediately, all necessary measures to protect the people of the territory and to safeguard its mineral and other resources.

The Sahrawi population in the occupied territory must be protected from the brutal oppression of Moroccan forces, occupying illegally part of the territory. The Sahrawi refugee population staying since 27 years in precarious conditions at the border of their home country, has to be given full support.

Acting differently would be a shame and a disgrace for the UN and the Security Council, harming their credibility and their ability to solve other conflicts ˆ and worst of all: jeopardizing the future of an entire people.

Rotterdam, July 2002

Ms E. den Haan,
President of the Netherlands Foundation for Self-determination of Western Sahara
Leo Ottplaats 39, 3031 CL Rotterdam, The Netherlands
E-mail :liesbethdenhaan@planet.nl

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