Sidney,September16,2011(SPS) The Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) in partnership with the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts organized on Thursday 15,an evening of film and discussion under the title, “Western Sahara: The untold story,” as learn from the Representation of Polisario in Australia.
During the event the documentary El Problema( the problem)which tackles the situation of human rights abuses in the occupied territory of Western Sahara and a TV program made by the ABC TV (Australia) on the issue of phosphate importation from Western Sahara to Australia were screened, The source added.
Professor Emeritus Stuart Rees, Director of the Sydney Peace Foundation at the University of Sydney, introduced the film El Problema.
“Despite the fact that certain powers use their influence to keep issues such as Western Sahara untold, the documentary El Problema tells the story” He said
“It provides in an interesting and powerful manner an insight into the shocking situation of occupation and human rights abuses by the Moroccan regime”
“It was regrettable that powers like France hamper the peace process by threatening to use their veto at the UN.” He added
Professor Rees said that he was moved by the courage and tenacity of the Saharawi human rights defenders such as Aminatou Haidar who keep challenging the occupation by peaceful means.
The President of the Australian Section of International Commission of Jurists, Hon John Dowd, attended the event and spoke about the illegality of the Madrid agreements and the exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara particularly the phosphates which are imported to Australia.
The evening was followed by a lively discussion with the participation of the Saharawi representative to Australia, Kamal TRayeh and others. (SPS)
080/090/TRA