Yearly Archives: 2010

Strange international silence about Moroccan army killing Saharawis

Moroccan army killing Saharawis in the occupied territories of Western Sahara amidst a strange international silence

The articles below do not report about hundreds peoples injured or killed after the Moroccan attack of 8 November, an attack that is still on-going according to reports by Saharawis activists under siege.
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Amnesty International calls for investigation into deaths in Western Sahara protest camp

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Press Release , 11 November 2010

“The Moroccan authorities must open an independent investigation into events that led to a number of deaths and injuries at Gadaym Izik, a protest camp near Laayoune, Western Sahara,” Amnesty International said today.

The government says nine people were killed during Monday’s operation and in its aftermath, including eight members of the security forces. Local human rights activists have told Amnesty International that 11 camp residents were seen lying injured on the ground, some of whom were bleeding while others had been burnt.

Full report >>

Americans Appeal to Obama to Protect Sahrawis in Western Sahara

For Immediate Release: November 5, 2010
American NGOs, Human Rights Activists Call on Obama to Protect Sahrawis in Western Sahara

(Washington, D.C.)…Representatives of American non-governmental organizations and human rights activists sent a letter today to President Barack Obama requesting his immediate help to protect the lives of the Sahrawis in Moroccan-Occupied Western Sahara.  Protesting their treatment as second class citizens in their own homeland, the Sahrawis have left the city of El Aaiun to set up a tent camp.
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Moroccan forces destroy protest camp in Western Sahara – at least three dead

Australia Western Sahara Association
Press Release
For immediate release  – Tuesday 9 November 2010

Moroccan forces destroy protest camp in Western Sahara – at least three dead.
AWSA calls for end to the violence and respect for rights of the Saharawi people

The Australia Western Sahara Association condemns the attack at the protest camp of Gdeim Izik, near El Aauin, the capital of occupied Western Sahara at dawn on Monday 8 November.
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Mineral’s tricky route out of Africa, Brisbane Times, November 3, 2010

Brisbane Times, November 3, 2010 – 5:38AMAndrew Darby, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald Hobart correspondent writes:
“Every now and then we discover all is not as right with the world as we thought it was. Even so, who would think a wake-up call could come in the shape of phosphatic rock?
Recently, a harmless enough bulk carrier called the Christine O steamed up the Derwent to unload in Hobart.
It was a surprise to be told that its phosphatic rock cargo came not from the “usual” island sources close to Australia. It came all the way around Africa from the Atlantic coast of the Western Sahara……

“Every now and then we discover all is not as right with the world as we thought it was. Even so, who would think a wake-up call could come in the shape of phosphatic rock?Recently, a harmless enough bulk carrier called the Christine O steamed up the Derwent to unload in Hobart.It was a surprise to be told that its phosphatic rock cargo came not from the “usual” island sources close to Australia. It came all the way around Africa from the Atlantic coast of the Western Sahara……Read the Brisbane Times article >>

AWSA press release expresses concern at the killing of a 14 year old boy

Australia Western Sahara Association
Press Release – 26 October 2010
AWSA issued a press release expressing concern at the killing of a 14 year old boy on Sunday by Moroccan troops and calling on the Australian government to press for the protection of the Saharawi civilian population living under Moroccan rule.

AWSA Press Release 26 October >>

British MPs condemn Teenager’s death

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 25.10.10
MPs condemn Teenager’s death as Moroccan forces open fire on Saharawi protestors

MPs have today condemned last nights shooting in which a 14 year old Saharawi boy was killed and several others injured by the Moroccan Security Forces surrounding the Gdeim Izik protest camp in Moroccan occupied Western Sahara.

Over 10,000 Saharawi (Western Saharan) protesters moved out of cities across Western Sahara in a mass exodus on the 9th October

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Amnesty issues statement about Sahrawi activists on trial for visiting refugee camps

Sahrawi activists on trial for visiting refugee camps
14 October 2010   

Amnesty International on Thursday called on the Moroccan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release three Sahrawi activists set to face trial following their visit to refugee camps in Algeria run by the Polisario Front. The trial of Brahim Dahane, Ali Salem Tamek and Ahmed Nasiri, begins on Friday in the Court of First Instance, Casablanca. All have been accused of “undermining (Morocco’s) internal security”.Amnesty International said it considers the three men to be prisoners of conscience.
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