On 27 February 2009 the flag of the Saharawi Republic (SADR) has been raised on the Town Halls of Leichhardt (Sydney), Newcastle and in various cities and towns of Australia such as Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Geelong and Darwin. The flags are raised to mark the 33rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Saharawi republic.
The Saharawi flag is officially raised in Australia for the first time as a gesture of solidarity and friendship with the Saharawi people.

During the Ceremony held at Leichhardt Town Hall, Councillor Jamie Parker, the Mayor said

“Leichhardt Council passed a unanimous motion to raise the flag of Saharawi Republic on their special day as a gesture of solidarity and friendship with the people of Western Sahara. He added “This commemorates 33 years since the people of Western Sahara declared a republic in Western Sahara to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of Spain the then colonial power.” And further added that “This is also significant because it will be the first time the flag of the Saharawi Republic has been flown officially in Australia”

The Saharawi representative to Australia, Kamal Fadel, expressed the gratitude and sincere thanks of the Saharawi people and emphasised that raising the Saharawi flag is a significant way of expressing solidarity and support to the Saharawis’ just cause. He added that through the gesture of raising the Saharawi flag, Australians are  so raising their voices against the dreadful injustice caused to the innocent Saharawi people.

Members of the Australia Western Sahara Association and friends of Western Sahara attended the flag raising ceremonies held all over Australia.

Youtube:  Flag raising ceremony at Leichhardt

Leichhardt Town Hall

Newcastle Town Hall

Melbourne ceremony

     
Australia Western Sahara Association (Victoria)  For immediate release – 26 February 2009
Press Release on the occasion of raising the flag of Western Sahara on 27 February 2009, which marks the 33rd anniversary of the Saharawi Republic.

Today we raise the flag of Western Sahara for the first time in Australia as a gesture of solidarity and friendship with the people of Western Sahara.
Press release: vicraisingtheflag27feb09-1.pdf

Press Release Thursday 26 February 2009
Mayor of Leichhardt Council, Cr Jamie Parker today invited the Western Sahara community in Sydney to commemorate the raising of their flag at Leichhardt Town Hall at 9am on Friday, 27 February 2009 to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Saharawi Republic.
“Leichhardt Council will raise the flag of Saharawi Republic on their special day as a gesture of solidarity and friendship with the people of Western Sahara….” (…continued)
Read Leichhardt Council Press Release 26 Feb 2009 >>

The Saharawi associations active in the field of human rights are honored to send you this letter, through which they wish to express, first of all, welcome and to express the immense joy to take part in this meeting that we have long awaited.

Also, we take this opportunity to share with you our deep concern at the continuing violations of human rights in Western Sahara, with very serious abuses against the Sahrawi civilians in general and the Sahrawi human rights defenders in particular. This is, of course, the result of a political and military conflict that has lasted more than three decades during which it contributed to the climate of frustration that has further increased the suffering of a population which is the victim of all forms of discrimination and humiliations and that is deprived of its right to respect and human dignity.

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Population of Polisario-Run Refugee Camps Remain Vulnerable
(Rabat, December 19, 2008) – Morocco violates the rights to expression, association, and assembly in Western Sahara, Human Rights Watch said in a new report issued today, revealing stark limits to the progress that Morocco has made in protecting human rights overall. Human rights conditions have also improved in the Sahrawi refugee camps managed by the Polisario Front in Algeria, although the Polisario marginalizes those who directly oppose its leadership.

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Le Monde Diplomatique – English edition   December 2008
Morocco won control of half of the former Spanish Sahara 33 years ago, and later annexed the rest. Several generations of Saharawis have continued a struggle to be independent, and free of the Moroccan colonial powers. It has cost them everything, but they are not prepared to give up or give in.
Read full report by Colin Murphy