Oslo, Jan 11, 2012 (SPS) - Some fifty Norwegians gathered Tuesday night outside the Moroccan embassy in Oslo to demonstrate for a free Western Sahara, and for the release of the 22 Saharawi political prisoners, who were arrested following their participation at Gdeim Izik events November 2010, reported Industri Energi website.
The demonstration, organized by the Norwegian Industry Energy Youth, was attended by several Norwegian political parties, as well as the Norwegian Labour Youth (AUF) Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and a number of personalities.
The demonstration aimed to focus on a people (Saharawis) who have been displaced, oppressed and discriminated by the Moroccan occupying power, according to the organizers.
“The Saharawi civilians have been over 40 years waiting for their right to self-determination to be met. The country has been occupied by Morocco since 1975. Since then, half of the population has lived in refugee camps in Algeria. Those who remained in their homeland are subjected to serious harassment from the Moroccan occupiers,” said initiator of the demonstration Leiv Martin Green, First Deputy of the Industry Energy Youth of Norway.
Green underlined that those Saharawi activists who stand up against injustice “are imprisoned and tortured”, pointing to the case of the 22 Saharawi political detainees, who have been imprisoned by Moroccan authorities without trial.
He in this respect called on Morocco to free the group, known as Gdeim Izik prisoners, and give them an opportunity to try their case beyond a military court.
On other hand, participants of the demonstration recalled that since Morocco has no sovereignty over Western Sahara, it has not the right to exploit Western Sahara natural resources, demanding that Morocco withdraws from Western Sahara and allow to the Saharawi people to enjoy their legitimate right to self-determination in their own land. (SPS)
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