Brussels, August 1, 2012 (SPS) - The task force of the European Conference of Coordination and Support to the Saharawi People (EUCOCO) has condemned Spain’s "unilateral" decision to repatriate Spanish aid workers from the Saharawi refugee camps.
In statement released on Wednesday, the EUCOCO Task Force notes that the repatriation comes as "French, Belgian and Italian aid workers and representatives of UN agencies continue their mission in the refugee camps "Sahrawi.
To justify the withdrawal of Spanish aid workers who provided assistance to Sahrawi refugees, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo, said he was alarmed by "possible" actions of terrorist groups operating in northern Mali, recalled the EUCOCO.
"We could understand this initiative in the aftermath of the kidnapping of three aid workers, October 22, 2011. Meanwhile, these two volunteers (one Italian and two Spanish) were released by their captors. In addition, strict measures to protect the aid workers were taken by Saharawi officials of the Polisario Front and the Red Crescent ", said the EUCOCO.
Twelve Spaniards, two French and one Italian were urgently repatriated Saturday, July 28 to Madrid. "The Spanish government has taken this decision without any consultation with the Saharawi government," deplored the organization of solidarity.
The EUCOCO Task Force called the NGOs to "maintain the presence of its cooperating in the field, ensure their humanitarian mandate as planned and continue humanitarian aid for the Sahrawi refugees."
The Task Force also called on the governments of other European countries "not to join the initiative of the Spanish government and to continue humanitarian aid to the Sahrawi people."
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international organizations were also seized to react quickly to ensure the protection and assistance of the Sahrawi population.
The EUCOCO combines charitable associations, humanitarian NGOs, trade unions, the twin cities, the lawyers' organizations in the countries of Europe, Africa, Latin America, the USA and Australia.
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