Read below.
Category Archives: Political issues
Public forum University of Sydney 23 April 2026 with Professor Ben Saul
A landmark event titled “Western Sahara: Self-Determination, Conflict, and the Path Forward” at the University of Sydney’s New Law School Building, brought together leading international law experts and Sahrawi representatives to assess the current state of the world’s last active decolonisation case in Africa.
The event, sponsored by the Indigenous Studies programme (SSESW, FASS) at the University of Sydney and the Australia Western Sahara Association, drew an engaged audience to hear from Professor Ben Saul, Kamal Fadel, and panel chair Dr Randi Irwin of the University of Newcastle.
Read Professor Ben Saul’s address
Click link below for general summary of presentations and panel discussion
EMERGENCY: FLOODING IN SAHARAWI REFUGEE CAMPS
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.
Please donate to AWSA’s emergency fundraiser in support of Oxfam in Algeria’s recovery efforts.
GiveNow – EMERGENCY: Help Saharawi refugees recover from flooding
AWSA Letter of Protest to French Ambassador as Nation Recognises Moroccan Sovereignty
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.
Australian tour 3-29 June – Mohamed Mayara, Saharawi journalist and human rights advocate
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 Group Sydney
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 today More 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.
2024 Sydney Road Street Party Sunday 3rd March, Brunswick
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.
Flag raising at Leichhardt Town Hall to mark Saharawi National Day on 27 February
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.
MOROCCO EXPOSED: POLITICO article lays bare the Kingdom’s bribery of EU officials
“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.
SAHARWIVOICE: Western Sahara Uncovered
Below is a great introduction to a short series of videos covering the history and illegal occupation of Western Sahara.
“Saharawi Voice is a blog designed to let people know what happened in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, why half of the population lives in refugee campos in southern Algeria and who are the Saharawi people.”
Watch and consider subscribing to this excellent resource.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=nkP5qEiBPWc8aPzj&v=RUnTZdakKLw&feature=youtu.be
Motion supporting Western Sahara passed without debate at ALP National Conference
The Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) is delighted that the Australian Labor
Party (ALP) expressed support for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, at its National Conference in Brisbane on 17-19 August 2023.
The motion adopted at the recent ALP Conference reads:
“Labor strongly supports the United Nations in its efforts to enable the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the 1990 Settlement Plan and supports the organisation without delay of the promised UN referendum of self-determination. In pursuit of individual freedom and human rights, Labor supports the United Nations mandating its mission MINURSO to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the Territory.”
See attached proposed resolution and media release below.
