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SADR President urges Ashton to intervene to end tragic situation of Sahrawi political prisoners on hunger strike

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Bir Lehlou (refugee camps) Nov 17, 2011 (SPS) - President of Republic and Secretary General of Polisario Front, Mohamed Abdelaziz, has ureged onThursday,  the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, to immediately intervene to save lives of Saharawi political prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan prison of Salé (near Rabat).

 

“Before the health of the hunger strikers deteriorates further, the Moroccan government is solely responsible for the serious consequences that flow from this situation. We request your urgent intervention to end this tragic situation and to save innocent lives, and to press the Moroccan government to terminate an immoral situation of lawlessness, and a policy of indifference and contempt” wrote the President to Mr. Catherine Ashton.

 

President of the Republic called for immediate release of the Saharawi political prisoners, holding the Moroccan government fully responsible for an imminent catastrophe.

 

He emphasized the need to expand the powers of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO, to include the protection, monitoring and reporting on human rights.

 

Head of State regretted that the EU remains passive in front of the systematic repression committed by the Moroccan authorities of occupation against the defenseless Saharawis in Occupied Territories.

 

“It is distressing that the European Union remains passive before the Moroccan government as it represses defenceless Saharawi on the territory of Western Sahara (which remains the responsibility of the UN) and brings them before military courts simply for defending the legitimate rights and principles enshrined by the UN Charter and resolutions” he pointed out.

 

President  Mohamed Abdelaziz also renewed  the call for necessary steps and sanctions to make the Moroccan government releases all Saharawi political prisoners and reveals the fate of more than 651 missing Sahrawi in the hands of the Moroccan State.

 

“The intransigence of the Moroccan government, by preventing a just and definitive solution in its attempt to interfere with the exercise by the Saharawi people of their right to self-determination ,cannot be rewarded by a guilty silence from the international community in reaction to serious violations of human rights” the President concluded his letter to Mr. Ashton.

 

21 Saharawi political prisoners in Salé (Morocco) began an unlimited hunger strike since Oct 23, to protest against their conditions, demand their release or a fair trial.

 

The political prisoners who arrested during the Moroccan attack on Gdeim Izik camp, are subjecting to military trails in Sale (near Rabat).

 

According to SADR Ministry of Occupied Territories and Communities Abroad, more than 80 Saharawi political detainees are currently incarcerating in the Moroccan prisons in grave situation.(SPS)

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