Category Archives: General

New initiative – the Free Western Sahara Network

This excellent UK site, the Free Western Sahara Network, aims to bring together many different groups working for WS around the world.

The official launch of this new network took place on 12th June in the Houses of Parliament preceded by a delegation to 10 Downing Street led by MP’s, MEP’s, representatives of the Polisario Front, campaigners, and supported by High Commissioners and Ambassors from several nations. See The Guardian – Western Sahara’s lingering crisis – 12/6/09 and See USA Today – Delegation to Downing Street – 12/6/09

The “Stolen” controversy – issues and concerns

Since the screening of “Stolen” during the Sydney Film Festival on 11 June 2009, very important issues have come to light.
“Stolen” is seriously misleading in alleging slavery exists in the Saharawi refugee camps and it misuses the story of Fetim Sellami a Saharawi teacher who withdrew her consent, as have most of the other Saharawis who were filmed.
The following are some of the main problems with “Stolen”:
·        Most of the translation Hassania (local language) into English is completely wrong. Continue reading →

Bardem swaps red carpet for sand

EL PAÍS, 19 April 2008
The actor is part of a strong Spanish contingent supporting Sahrawi film festival

The world’s only film festival to be held at a refugee camp opened Friday in the Algerian desert. Several prominent actors and directors from Spain, including the Oscar-winning Javier Bardem, are scheduled to attend Fisahara, the International Film Festival of Western Sahara. Continue reading →

Javier Bardem visits refugees

javier.jpgThe Oscar winner jetted off to southwestern Algeria near the border with the Western Sahara to partake in the cinema gala’s fifth installment Thursday and took time out of his schedule to visit the Dakhla refugee camp in Tindouf, Algeria. There, the 39-year-old was welcomed with open arms by numerous exiled Sahrawi families.
Find out more >>

Melbourne book launch Friday 7 December, 5.30-7pm with Stephen Zunes

You are invited to the book launch of International Law and the Question of Western Sahara, with Stephen Zunes at the Institute of International Law and Humanities (IILAH) in the Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street, University Square, Carlton (opposite University of Melbourne’s main gates on Grattan Street), on Friday 7 December at 5 for 5.30pm-7pm.
International Law and the Question of Western Sahara, edited by Karin Arts and Pedro Pinto Leite and published by IPJET (International Platform of Jurists for East Timor) 352pp, hardback. 
Books will be on sale at the launch at the give-away price of $30.
Book launch flyer >>