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NGOs demand release of the Saharawi political prisoners

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Geneva, Nov 12, 2011 (SPS) - A number of non-governmental organizations in Geneva has demanded the release of the Saharawi political detainees currently in the Moroccan jails or take them to a fair trial in the presence of international observers, confirmed Friday sources there.

The sources said citing a joint statement of NGOs that this call was delivered on the occasion of commemorating the 1st anniversary of the Moroccan attack on Gdeim Izik camp, in suburbs of the occupied city of El Aaiun.

The NGOs called for putting an end to the repression practiced against the Saharawi people and to respect the obligation to grant license, without reservation, to all who are charged a task in the framework of the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council in the non-independent territories of Western Sahara.

They asked the UN Security Council to grant MINURSO the mandate to protect human rigts s to call on holders of the Human Rights Council tasks to head, as soon as possible, to the non-independent territories of Western Sahara in order to investigate on violating freedoms and basic rights relating to their mandate.

They also recalled that 24 Saharawi human rights defenders charged for their participation in Gdeim Izik and are currently imprisoning in Sale “are in appalling and worrying state of health.”

The statement signed by the International Bureau for the Respect of Human Rights in Western Sahara, Swiss Committee to support the Saharawi People, France Liberty, Danielle Mitterrand Foundation, International Movement of Youth and Students for the UN, Movement Against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. (SPS)

090/089/TRA