STOP Violence in Western Sahara - 3 Simple Actions
Thanks to international pressure, on Tuesday the Security Council, chaired by the UK released a statement saying they “deplore” the violence in Western Sahara. This is progress. However, due to obstructions from France, the Security Council failed to agree to undertake an urgent investigation into the incidents or implement human rights monitoring - leaving the violence in Western Sahara to continue. NOW IS THE TIME TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE!
With the UK Presidency of the Security Council it is a crucial time to press our government to investigate human rights abuses now, and to ensure that human rights will form a central part of negotiations in April when the UN mission is renewed. TAKE ACTION HERE
If you haven’t already please take our 3 SIMPLE ACTIONS: If you’ve already taken our actions, we suggest others below. As ever, your support is much appreciated and is making the issue increasing difficult to ignore.
You might also be interested to see our letter in this week’s Guardian.
3 ACTIONS
Contact: (further information and contact details below)
The French Ambassador to the UN condemning France’s deplorable actions in continuing to oppose human rights monitoring in Western Sahara.
The UK Ambassador to the UN requesting that the UK insists in an investigation and the introduction on human rights monitoring in Western Sahara. Ask that your letter is circulated to all members of the Security Council
Your MP, asking her/him to raise the issue immediately with Alistair Burt MP (or your Foreign Minister if you are not in the UK) asking that the UK acts immediately to send human rights monitors to assess the situation and implement permanent human rights monitoring in Western Sahara. Also ask your MP to sign EDM 973
Alternative actions:
Contact EU Foreign Minister Baroness Ashton asking her to raise this issue with Morocco and that human rights of the Saharawi are considered in all aspects of the EU's engagement with Morocco.
Contact the Spanish Ambassador to the UN - Spain is in the ‘UN Group of Friends’ of Western Sahara and is involved in current discussions about the situation.
Further information The worst violence and the highest number of deaths in Moroccan occupied Western Sahara since the ceasefire in 1991 has erupted after the Moroccan authorities brutally destroyed a protest camp where up to 20,000 Saharawi civilians were undertaking a peaceful protest. Reports on the ground state the violence is continuing.
Key info: • Approximately 20,000 Saharawi citizens were engaged in a mass protest for over a month. On 8th November the Moroccan Security Forces took to violent action to disperse the camp.
• This sparked riots and ongoing violence. Deaths and numerous injuries and disappearances are reported and appear to be ongoing.
• The Moroccan authorities are preventing international media and observers from entering the city so the extent of the violence cannot be independently verified.
•The UN Mission in Western Sahara is the only contemporary peacekeeping mission without a mandate to monitor human rights.
Watch the following interview which includes an interview with Human Rights Watch, the only international human rights organisation able to access the area
Contact details (Letters are best, but if you don't have time, please email/fax)
H.E. Mr Gérard Araud Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations 245 East 47th Street 44th floor New York, N.Y. 10017 USA Fax : 1 (212) 421 6889 Email: france@franceonu.org
UK – Presidency of the Security Council) Please request that your letter is circulated to all members of the Security Council H.E. Sir Mark Lyall Grant President of the Security Council Permanent Representative UK Mission to the UN One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 885 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017 Fax: + 1 212 745 9316 Email: uk@un.int (Mark it For the Attention of the Ambassador)
H.E. Mr JUAN PABLO DE LAIGLESIA Y GONZÁLEZ DE PEREDO Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations Permanent Mission of Spain to the United Nations One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, 36th Floor New York, NY 10017 USA Fax: (212) 949 7247 or send a message directly via their website Baroness Ashton of Upholland High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Vice President of the European Commission Salutation: Lady Ashton Email: Catherine.ashton@ec.europa.eu
WESTERN SAHARA CAMPAIGN UK
The Western Sahara Campaign works in solidarity with the Saharawi people to generate political support in order to advance their right to self-determination and to promote their human rights.
Our role is to lobby the UK Government and the EU. You can help us to ensure the UK does not ignore the voice of the Saharawi people.
Follow the news about EU's illegal fisheries in Western Sahara
