Chahid Al Hafed (refugee camps), May 31, 2013 (SPS) - A U.S. Congress delegation, composed of 12 members, concluded Wednesday a visit to the Sahrawi refugee camp of Smara to enquire about the living conditions of Saharawis in these camps.
During the visit, the delegation was received by the Prime Minister of SADR Mr. Abdelkader Taleb Omar and Speaker of the Saharawi National Council Mr. Khatri Addouh.
The 12-member delegation was warmly welcomed by the peoples of Smara, before meeting the Wali (governor) of the Wilaya of Smara Mr. Edda Brahim Hmaiam along with members of the Sahrawi National Council (Parliament).
Upon his arrival to the Wilaya of Smara, Head of the US delegation Mr. Scott Chiller said that this delegation represents the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
He stated that this delegation aims to “find a solution to this problem, so the Sahrawi people can live in peace and liberty,” hailing, on this occasion, the efforts made by Algeria’s government to contribute to find a solution to the Sahrawi issue.
Saharawi PM Mr. Abdelkader Taleb Omar welcomed the recent position taken by the U.S. Government in adopting a resolution calling for the protection of human rights in Western Sahara within the UN Security Council, noting that despite its withdrawal, it remains a sign of U.S. interest in the Saharawi cause and the defense of the right to self-determination.
“The Saharawi people have been for over forty years waiting to enjoy their right to freedom and independence, at the same time they have been subject to violations of human rights and depletion of natural resources due to Moroccan occupation ever since,” underlined Mr. Taleb Omar, adding “the only solution for the Saharawi people is independence, which will be a factor of stability in the region.”
He, on other hand, renewed readiness of SADR Government to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, drugs and the social lesions which Moroccan occupation contributes to spread in the region.
Moreover, the U.S. delegation listened to a number of interventions by representatives of Saharawi women and youth organizations as well as members of the Saharawi Advisory Council.
These interventions focused on the violation of human rights perpetuated against Saharawi woman and youth in the occupied territories, calling on the U.S. delegation to “pressurize their government, so that it seeks to apply UN regulations and Security Council resolutions on decolonization.”
The U.S. delegation visited some national facilities and institutions, including headquarters of the Association of Families of Saharawi Prisoners and Disappeared (AFAPREDESA) and National Museum of Resistance.
It worth noting that the U.S. delegation was accompanied during his visit to the Saharawi refugee camps by six Algerian deputies, representing both chambers of Algerian Parliament. (SPS)
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