Despite the unwillingness of the international community to enforce international law the Saharawi, under the leadership of the POLISARIO Front, remain unbowed. The continuing resistance in the occupied Western Sahara, the organisation in the refugee camps and the steadfast solidarity around the world gives me hope.
As the world watched Mandela’s memorial service the European Parliament had an opportunity to stand up for justice – they failed. Earlier in the year the UN had the opportunity to introduce monitoring of human rights abuse – they failed.
The struggle continues – unsurprisingly the South African and East Timorese governments have become staunch supporters of the Saharawi struggle for self-determination. They know how long the road to freedom can be - the best of them know they haven’t got to the end of that road yet!
They also know what helped them further along that road. It was not individuals who won the struggle, however important a figurehead they became. It was people standing together and not letting decades of disappointment lessen their thirst for justice. It was the bravery of all the South Africans who stood in unity against apartheid that defeated that injustice. And the Saharawi continue to show immense bravery in the face of brutal repression.
Our contribution in the UK is small in comparison to their struggle but we continue to play a leading role in the international campaign. We were instrumental in setting up Western Sahara Resource Watch, in running the international campaign for human rights monitoring (this year with the very welcome support of Unison) and in making sure the UK Government continues to advocate the application of international law even if they are not quite ready to forget diplomatic niceties and do what they know is right and vote for freedom!
I thank you for your support and would urge you to continue to do what you can to support the Saharawi in their fight for self-determination.
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
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