United Nations (New York), Oct 6, 2011 (SPS)- Former President of Basque, Juan Jose Ibarretxe, requested Wednesday the UN General Assembly's decolonization committee to assure that the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination would be scrupulously and honestly respected.
“From my humble position I ask you, Delegates, to insist that the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people is scrupulously and honestly respected and to lend your support to the holding of a referendum which includes the option of independence”, said Former President of Basque infront of the UN Decolonization Committee’s session.
Juan Jose Ibarretxe underlined that not only the future of the Sahrawi People that is at stake, it is also the very credibility of this “weakened” United Nations Organization, an organization the world needs today more than ever.
“In 1975, the International Court of Justice declared that Morocco did not have sovereignty over the Western Sahara, and that it was nothing more than an occupying force” he mentioned
“In 1988, following a 13 year-long war the possibility of lasting peace arose under the auspices of the United Nations based on the principle of holding a referendum on self-determination on the future of the Sahara. This principle was accepted by the Polisario Front and by the Kingdom of Morocco” added Mr. Ibarretxe
“the truth is that neither Morocco nor the United Nations, know what the Sahrawi People wants, whether they want autonomy or independence, simply because we have not asked them”
Juan Jose Ibarretxe, Finally, Condemned the media blackout and human rights violations perpetrated by Moroccan forces of occupation against the Saharawi citizens.(SPS )
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