Batna (Algeria) June 20, 2011 (SPS) - “The ongoing violations of human rights in the occupied part of Western Sahara, before the eyes of the world, is something shameful," said Sunday Mr. Pierre Galland, president of the European Committee of Solidarity with the Saharawi People and former member of the Belgium Nation’s Council, in an intervention on the sidelines of twinning signed between the Algerian Municipality of Aris and Gdeim Izik camp.
The ex-European deputy called on the EU member states, to meet Monday and Tuesday, “not to sign fishing agreements with Morocco, since it violates rights of the Saharawis,” appealing for the United Nations to “oppose human rights violations in the Saharawi occupied territories.”
He considered that signing such twining agreement is “an important event and other panel in the network of Western Sahara twining regions with cities and municipalities, whether in Europe or other regions in the world," adding “it is a good way of cooperation and solidarity with the Saharawi people in its long struggle for self-determination and freedom."
Mr. Gallan explained that the people of Algeria “have long experience in this regard”, asking all to the serious work “so we celebrate in the near future the independence of Western Sahara,” he said.
“Friends of the Saharawi people and its just liberation cause chose to be in Aris, the cradle of the Algerian liberation revolution and home of the symbolic leader Mustapha Ben Boulaid, on the eve of the World Refugee Day’s celebration (June 20),” he added.
From his part, Mr. Khalil Sidi Mhamed, minister of the Saharawi occupied territories and communities abroad, considered this twining agreement as “ a important event in history of the Saharawis,” stressing that this twining will undoubtedly has tangible results for the Saharawi cause in the future.”
Moreover, Ms. Dagar Fiulat, president of Arab Commission of Human Rights, called on the Arabs to stand for the Saharawi cause and publicize it in the other Arab countries. She emphasized that refusing to support the Saharawi people and other struggled states is “abandon to the peoples who call for their rights.”
Cuban Ambassador in Algeria reiterated, on behalf of the diplomatic corps accredited to Algeria supporting the Saharawi cause, support to the Saharawi people struggle for and work in order to achieve its freedom.
The twining was attended by ambassadors of Venezuela, Nigeria, Mozambique, Ghana and Cuba in Algeria, in addition to South African representative and coordinator of the French elected in solidarity with the Saharawi people. (SPS)
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