MEPs denounce Morocco’s human rights violations in Western Sahara

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

'I think this repression in the presence of the Special Envoy is a scandal'

THE European Parliament group of MEPs including Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has denounced Morocco's human rights violations in Western Sahara and demand the immediate release of all Sahrawi political prisoners.

The calls come after a vote on a report* containing key demands related to the human rights situation in Western Sahara, GUE/NGL MEPs have condemned abuses by Morocco and reiterated their solidarity with the Sahrawi people’s peaceful struggle for self-determination.

Spanish MEP Willy Meyer recalled that while the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, is visiting the occupied territories of Western Sahara (El Aaiun and Smara), Moroccan forces are attacking peaceful demonstrations.

“I think this repression in the presence of the Special Envoy is a scandal,” Meyer said, urging Parliament, the Commission and the High Representative for EU Foreign Policy to send “a quick and unequivocal message” that the repression of the Sahrawi people must end.

“It seems unlikely that the EU, which maintains an advanced status Association Agreement with Morocco, will not use its position to stop this repression in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.’

Speaking during Monday night’s debate on the Tannock report, Portuguese MEP Inês Zuber said:

“A tragic situation has been developing for decades in Western Sahara.”

• THE TANNOCK REPORT expresses deep concern at recent reports on torture showing that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, subjected Sahrawi inmates to torture and rape, and kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert in order to intimidate them. Morocco has deliberately and frequently targeted Sahrawis.

The report calls for a UN Human Rights monitoring mechanism in Western Sahara and on the Moroccan authorities “to release immediately all Sahrawi political prisoners”.