Category Archives: Human Rights

AWSA’s statement on the kidnapping in the camps

24 October 2011

The Australia Western Sahara Association today condemned the terrorist
attack on the Saharawi refugee camps that resulted in international aid
workers being injured and kidnapped.

AWSA expresses its deepest sympathy for victims and their families and
solidarity with the Saharawi people.

Three European aid workers, two Spanish citizens and one an Italian, working in the Saharawi refugee camps, were kidnapped on Saturday night by terrorists.
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AWSA calls for urgent action by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights

In a letter sent to UNHCR dated 30 September 2011, AWSA calls for urgent action by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights to intervene and protect Saharawis who are under violent attack by Moroccan settlers in the city of  Dakhla in occupied Western Sahara. It is understood that the Moroccan security forces and police have not acted to protect the lives and property of the indigenous Saharawi.

Read letter sent to UNHCR >>

Reuters report : Western Sahara clash exposes tensions with Moroccans

Western Sahara clash exposes tensions with Moroccans
By Souhail Karam

DAKHLA, Western Sahara (Reuters) – Moroccan security forces deployed in the city of Dakhla in the disputed territory of Western Sahara this week after an outburst of violence that pitted members of the indigenous Sahrawi population against their Moroccan neighbours.

Moroccan officials said 7 people were killed after rival groups of supporters clashed following a soccer match last Sunday, and local criminals then joined in the violence.

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Joint-Statement for a Western Sahara without violence and racism

Statement by Saharawi Human rights NGOs and committees following the recent brutal crackdown by Moroccan armed militias

“Since 25 September 2011, the Saharawi civilians in Dakhla, in the south of Western Sahara, are facing brutal and oppressive attacks from Moroccan armed militias. These militias reside in the Alwakala neighbourhood, home to thousands of Moroccan settlers brought into the territory by the Moroccan government in 1991, to participate in the envisioned referendum in Western Sahara…..

Read the full statement >>

Week of violence and repression in Dakhla in occupied Western Sahara

AWSA summarises a week of violence and repression in Dakhla on the southern coast of occupied Western Sahara.

Disturbing news is coming out of Dakhla, the southern city in occupied Western Sahara. It appears that violence erupted on Sunday 25 September as people were leaving a football match between the local Saharawi team and a Moroccan team from Casablanca. The police and security forces stepped back to allow Moroccan settlers to attack Saharawis, it was reported, see : http://www.spsrasd.info/en (in English)

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Melbourne event 3 October – International conference

‘Africa’s East Timor – the struggle for self-determination in Western Sahara – Africa’s last colony’

Date: Monday 3rd October
Time: 1:45pm -3pm a

Venue:   Victorian Trades Hall – Melbourne

Speakers: Mr. Kamal Fadel, Polisario Representative to Australia and Mr. Sam Wainwright, Fremantle Councillor and Member of the Maritime Union of Australia

A workshop to discuss the question of Western Sahara as part of the International Conference : World at a Crossroads: Climate Change – Social Change Conference II

Download further details >>

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15 September : Sydney film evening provokes interest and discussion

untold.jpgOver 60 Sydneysiders attended an evening of film and discussion organised by the Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) in partnership with the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts on Thursday 15 September 2011, under the title, “Western Sahara: The untold story”.
El Problema, a multi-prize winning documentary which tackles the situation of human rights abuses in the occupied areas  was screened,
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