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Morocco’s practices in Western Sahara, similar to those of Apartheid in South Africa, says Saharawi President

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Rome, Nov 14, 2013 (SPS) - The President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Frente Polisario Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz affirmed that the Moroccan government’s practices in Western Sahara "are similar to those pursued by the Apartheid regime in South Africa during the 1970s and 1980s."


In a press conference organized Wednesday evening at the Italian Senate by the Italian Parliamentary Group of Friendship with the Saharawi, President of the Republic appealed to Italy, Europe and the international community as a whole to exert economic sanctions against Moroccan government to comply with international legitimacy requirements.


The President pointed out that there are "numerous events, data and reports that leave no room for doubt that the Saharawi cause is just and that Morocco violates international legitimacy and human rights."


He, on other hand, described as "brave" the decision taken by the Swedish Parliament, in which it asked the Government to recognize the Saharawi Republic (SADR)


He, therefore, stated that the U.S. initiative, which proposed that MINURSO been entrusted with human rights component, is "an importanty development."


The President, on other hand, recalled to the numerous reports on the human rights situation in Western Sahara by the U.S. Department of State, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, UN Rapporteur on torture, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, European Parliament Rapporteur, and others.


He, moreover, focused on the condition of the Saharawi political prisoners, including Gdeim Izik group.


It should be recalled that the President of the Republic arrived Wednesday in Rome, capital of Italy, as part of a working visit lasts for few days, during which he will attend the 38th European Conference of Coordination and Support to the Saharawi People (EUCOCO), to be held from 15 to 16 November. (SPS)


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