Banned Moroccan journalist finally able to work again

After a 10-year ban and a hunger strike, one Moroccan journalist is getting back to work
By Sam Kimball
September 11, 2015

“In the courtyard of his 19th century Andalusian house among the winding alleyways of the city of Tetouan, in Morocco’s verdant Rif Mountains, journalist Ali Lmrabet, 55, types slowly on his laptop, which sits atop a pile of notebooks on a wooden table. (…cont.)

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Senator Claire Moore addresses the Senate on Human Rights and Morocco

Tuesday, 8 September 2015

In her speech to the Senate Senator Claire Moore, Labor Senator for Queensland, spoke of the injustice of Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara for over 40 years, the oppression and human rights abuses endured by the Saharawi, the plight of those in exile in the desert of Algeria and the failure of the United Nations to require Morocco to honour its ceasefire agreement to allow a UN referendum in Western Sahara.
Senator Moore acknowledged the presence in the gallery of a delegation from the Australia Western Sahara Association who have been working tirelessly to ensure that this message is not lost in our community.

Hansard Record 8 September 2015

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The Guardian, 28 August 2015; Mariem Hassan obituary

Robin Denselow, The Guardian, 28/08/2015
Single-Mariem-Hassan
Mariem Hassan,the singer whose protest songs on behalf of her Sahrawi people in north Africa brought her international recognition has died of bone cancer aged 57, in a desert refugee camp for the Sahrawi people in south-west Algeria. She used her powerful voice to publicise the plight of those who were forced to flee from their homeland when Morocco took control of Western Sahara in 1975.

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Saharawi Association of Victims of Human Rights Abuses at last allowed to register officially

Human Rights Watch, 24 August 2015

(Rabat) – Moroccan authorities have for the first time allowed a Sahrawi human rights organization fiercely critical of the government to legally register. ASVDH, the Saharawi Association of Victims of Human Rights Abuses has been applying for this registration for the last 10 years Human Rights Watch reports.

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Mariem Hassan’s Farewell from Smara camp

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AWSA regrets to announce the sad death of Saharawi singer, Mariem Hassan, whose powerful singing made her “the voice of the Sahara”.

Here is a message from Mariem’s agents Nubenegra.
“On 6th of August Mariem Hassan returned to the refugee camps and on Saturday morning (22 August 2015) she died in her family circle in the refugee camp Smara (Tindouf, Algeria).
She knew that she had no chance against the bone cancer, but she never gave up to fight against the injustice of her occupied homeland since 1975
with her unforgettable voice around the world.

Before passing away Mariem wanted to say goodbye,
Her Farewell has been published on YouTube

Listen to Mariem Hassan broadcasts on ABC Radio National

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Occupied Territory – Breaking the Media Blackout in Western Sahara

Moroccan-security-forces-chargeBy Karlos Zurutuza
IPS – Inter Press Service News Agency
LAAYOUNE, Occupied Western Sahara, Aug 23 2015 (IPS)

Ahmed Ettanji is looking for a flat in downtown Laayoune, a city 1,100 km south of Rabat. He only wants it for one day but it must have a rooftop terrace overlooking the square that will host the next pro-Sahrawi demonstration. “Rooftop terraces are essential for us as they are the only places from which we can get a graphic testimony …(cont.)

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Is Sidi Mohamed Dadach North Africa’s Mandela?

1_15Middle East Eye
Karlos Zurutuza
Wednesday 19 August 2015
This Sahrawi’s life story is one of imprisonment and resistance since day one of the occupation of his land, 40 years ago

LAAYOUNE, Western Sahara – Naman Street is one of the very few tree-lined avenues in Laayoune. The local Sahrawis, however, call it “Dadach” in honour of Sidi Mohamed Dadach, a famous dissident who was received here by thousands after spending 24 years in Moroccan prisons.

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Western Sahara: Significant resolution achieved at ALP conference, Melbourne 2015

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At the ALP conference held in Melbourne on 24-26 July 2015 the following resolution was passed:

This conference:
• Strongly supports the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination;
• Expresses concerns about reports of human rights abuses in Western Sahara, including by Human Rights Watch and Resolution 282 moved this year by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
• Calls on all parties to work with the international community to develop and implement independent and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights, bearing in mind their relevant obligations under international law;
• Urges the UN to use its mission in Western Sahara to monitor and uphold human rights, and ensure that any use of the natural resources of Western Sahara is in accordance with the wishes of the Saharawi people and for their benefit;
• Calls on the UN to proceed without further delay with the organisation of the long overdue referendum of self-determination;
• Urges the Australian Government to extend all due assistance to the UN in its efforts to organise a free and fair referendum in Western Sahara, and to maintain an appropriate dialogue with the Polisario Front, UN-acknowledged representatives of the people of Western Sahara.