Lima, April 30, 2015 (SPS) - Peruvian Council of Solidarity with the Sahrawi People (COPESA in Spanish) welcomed, Wednesday, the renewal for a year of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), dubbing this decision a “clear answer” to the Moroccan occupation which requested, behind the scenes, the cessation of this mission in the occupied territories.
Furthermore, COPESA expressed its satisfaction with the recognition by the United Nations Security Council that the “current status quo of the Western Sahara conflict is inacceptable” and with the support given to the work made by the UN Special Envoy to Western Sahara, Christopher Ross.
“This is a blow to the Moroccan diplomacy which has constantly hindered Ross’ mission,” said the COPESA in the communiqué.
As for MINURSO’s role, the COPESA underlined that this mission should prepare itself for consultations with the Sahrawi people in view of organizing the referendum of self-determination in Western Sahara.
In addition, the Peruvian Council said that “the dramatic situation of the Sahrawi political prisoners as well as the crimes committed against Sahrawis by the Moroccan forces and the repression of peaceful demonstrations are amongst the arguments to take into consideration for the establishment of a defence mechanism of human rights in the occupied territories.” (SPS)
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