October 2024. Right now, Saharawi families are recovering from devastating floods in refugee camps – and you can help them rebuild. In late September 2024, massive rains swamped the refugee camps along the border of occupied Western Sahara. Hundreds of homes were inundated with families now in temporary shelter. Almost 150 families lost everything. Vital water infrastructure is damaged and Saharawi refugees are in danger of contracting water-born diseases.
The Australian Western Sahara Association has sent a letter of protest to the French ambassador in response to France’s reversal of its historical position on Western Sahara.
In July, France moved to recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. In his letter to King Mohammed IV, President Emmanuel Macron wrote “The present and future of Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty”, and that he aims to “act consistently with this position at both national and international level.”
AWSA’s letter to French Ambassador Mr. Pierre-André Imbert is attached.
Australia Western Sahara Association is hosting Mohamed Mayara, journalist, political activist, human rights defender and trade unionist who lives in occupied Western Sahara. Mohamed is visiting Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. The tour is generously supported by Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA.
Forthcoming events in Sydney, and Canberra 16-26 June
SYDNEY / WARRANE 16-22 JUNE
Sunday 16 June, 1.00pm* Palestine Rally, supported by Palestine Action GroupSydney Mohamed Mayara is one of the listed speakers. Belmore Park, Central *Check at link above in case the time has changed on the day.
Monday 17 June, 6 pm Panel Discussion – Life under occupation in Western Sahara & the pathway to freedom Maritime Union of Australia, 365-375 Sussex Street, Sydney Mohamed Mayara, Convenor, Equipe Media. Ntina Tzouvala, Associate Professor at the College of Law, Australian National University. Other panellist tbc Free event; Refreshments available; Donations welcome Supported by MUA, APHEDA and GLW
Wednesday 19 June, 12.30 pm Western Sahara & the struggle for human rights todayMore information ABS Case Study Lecture Theatre 2080. Level 2, University of Sydney Business School (H70) Cnr Abercrombie St and Codrington St, Darlington Screening of 3 Stolen Cameras, in which members of Equipe Media fight to keep their cameras in Western Sahara. Followed by a Q&A and discussion with Mohamed Mayara, coordinator of Equipe Media, and Assoc.Prof Lynette Riley, Chair of Aboriginal Education and Indigenous Studies, USyd., Rand Darwish, Palestinian advocate and community organiser, working on intersectional solidarities, with the student movement and in film. Free event; Light Refreshments served after the event; Donations welcome. Supported by NTEU, APHEDA
Thursday 20 June at 5.20 pm Workers rights – human rights in Western Sahara Auditorium at Trades Hall, entrance via 377 Sussex Street, Sydney A short talk by Mohamed Mayara, human rights defender, journalist and trade unionist. Sponsored by Unions NSW
Saturday 22 June, 2 pm – Blue Mountains (Download poster) Film screening and discussion Africa’s last colony – a desert for journalists Leura Uniting Church Cnr Grose St and Megalong St, Leura Screening of 3 Stolen Cameras (17 mins) in which members of Equipe Media fight to keep their cameras in Western Sahara – followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Mohamed Mayara, Kamal Fadel, Western Sahara Representative in Australia and New Zealand, and Kathie Herbert, Chairperson of the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group (BMRSG). This is a free event; Donations welcome. Afternoon tea provided Supported by Australia Cuba Friendship Society, APHEDA
CANBERRA /NGAMBRI 24-26 June
Wednesday 26 June, 6 pm(Download poster) Panel discussion and a short documentary ANU Latin American Students’ Association and Australia Western Sahara Association will host a screening of 3 Stolen Cameras, a documentary on Western Sahara resistance to Morrocan occupation. Panel discussion with Mohamed Mayara, Saharawi journalist, Kamel Fadel, Western Sahara Representative in Australia and New Zealand, and Leah House, Black Peoples Union. ANU Copland Building 24 Kingsley Pl, Acton ACT 2601 The event is free.
Australia Western Sahara Association representatives shared a marquee with the West Papua Women’s group to promote human rights issues in occupied Western Sahara and in West Papua.
The Inner West Council marked the 48th anniversary of Saharawi Democratic Republic by raising the Saharawi flag at Leichhardt Town Hall on Tuesday 27 February 2024.
The flag-raising ceremony was attended by Inner West Councillor Kobi Shetty, Kamal Fadel, Polisario Representative Australia and New Zealand, Lesley Osborne, Secretary of the Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) and members and friends of AWSA.
Why a US reversion towards supporting MINURSO could bring liberation and rehabilitation to Western Sahara.
“The Biden administration would be wise to absorb the lessons from Gaza and Ukraine, recognizing that ‘frozen’ conflicts don’t stay frozen forever. A bold and proactive American approach could forestall the onset of another significant conflict. Given the opportunity, the people of Western Sahara might finally complete their protracted march toward peace and autonomy—a journey they embarked upon far too many years ago”
Below explores King Mohammed VI’s insistent attempts to legalise exports of Western Saharan fish supplies, as well as allow for oil and gas exploration projects in the occupied territory.
“This king assumes eventually, everyone will forget about the sovereign rights of the victims of thuggery. That should never be allowed to happen.”
“The probe that would become Qatargate began after Belgium was tipped off by “a trusted European intelligence service” that two Italian members of the European Parliament had been bribed by Moroccan spies to “promote the Kingdom’s interests” in the chamber, according to the first Belgian secret services report of the investigation, obtained by POLITICO. “
Read on in the article attached. Written by Elisa Braun and Barbara Moens.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has deemed the imprisonment of 24 Sahrawi activists at Gdeim Izik in 2010 as illegal, urging the Rabat to immediately release the group.
The body also urged the Kingdom to ensure reparations, an investigation into the arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and to take actions against those responsible.
Full press release from the League for the Protection of Saharawi Political Prisoners held within Moroccan jails (LPPS) can be found below.
Written by global energy and sustainability writer Elias Ferrer Breda, the following is an enlightening article covering Moroccan attempts to expand its energy projects in the occupied territory of Western Sahara.
“Saharawi men hold up a Polisario Front flag in the Al-Mahbes area near Moroccan soldiers guarding the wall separating the Polisario controlled Western Sahara from Morocco on February 3, 2017.” AFP via Getty Images.
