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Morocco expelled MEPs to hide its crimes against humanity in Western Sahara, says MEP

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Brussels, March 11, 2013 (SPS) - The Spanish-European MP Mr. Vicente Miguel Garcés, European Socialist Bloc, confirmed that the reason behind Morocco’s expulsion of MEPs is to hide the crimes against humanity committed by its forces against Saharawi civilians in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, during a press conference held Thursday by the group of MEPs, recently expelled from Casablanca’s airport, in their way to occupied El Aaiun.


“Moroccan police stopped us directly. We asked them about the reason of arresting us and if they do have a written decision, but they were confused and had no documents. All they did is to force us to return back to the plane in which we came,” said the MEP Garcés.


“What does Moroccan regime hide in the occupied territories of Western Sahara? And what does he wants to hide from our view as deputies of the European Parliament?” he lamented.


He confirmed that the situation the Saharawis live in occupied Western Sahara is “bitter and dangerous” due to the non-application of UN resolutions and failure to organize a referendum on self-determination, by which the Saharawis can decide their future freely.


“Like most of European Parliament deputies, I find it very serious. The Saharawi people deprived of all rights and face many serious difficulties,” he underlined.


He also considered that Moroccan authorities not only prevented them from entering to the occupied territories of Western Sahara, but it expelled them even from Morocco itself, a thing, says Mr. Garcés , requires a “clear response and a tough stance” from the European Union and parliamentary groups. (SPS)


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