London, July 17, 2016 (SPS) - Western Sahara Campaign (WSC) is sending an open letter to H.E Ambassador Koro Bessho, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, President of the Security Council, to call on the United Nations Security Council to “adopt a more urgent and proactive approach in pursuit of a solution to the conflict in Western Sahara” during its meeting of 26 July 2016.
“We are writing to you to place on record our strong belief that the status quo in Western Sahara is unacceptable,” says the letter on behalf of Saharawi civil society organizations – both in the refugee camps and occupied territory – as well as international activist groups and NGOs.
“We urge the Security Council to live up to its mandate and act to move forward the UN political process toward an acceptable solution that would allow for the Saharawi people to exercise their right to self-determination, in accordance with the UN Charter and numerous resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly.
“The UN’s direct and stated commitment to the holding of a self-determination referendum, under measures put in place 25 years ago following the agreement between the UN, the Frente Polisario and Morocco, must be realised.”
WSC calls on the Council to “ensure that MINURSO returns to full functionality and is allowed to continue to do its original and ongoing work, in accordance with long established principles and practices of UN peacekeeping, including the establishment of a human rights monitoring mechanism”.
WSC also calls on the Council to “outline a process for direct, intensive, high-level and time-bound talks, without preconditions, between the Frente POLISARIO and Morocco, in order to ensure a timely resolution of the conflict”.
WSC will circulate the open letter with signatures late on 20th July. WSC asks organisations to add their names to the signatories. Names, positions in organisations, and organisations are need. The deadline for signatures is 19th July 5pm GMT. (SPS)
John Gurr, Coordinator, Western Sahara Campaign, 01974 282214.
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