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Former Japanese PM urges government to support UN efforts in Western Sahara

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Tokyo, July 17, 2014 (SPS) - Former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, has asked the government of his country to support “more strongly” the efforts undertaken by the United Nations in Western Sahara, demanding a “quick implementation” of the self-determination referendum of the Saharawi people.


In a letter obtained Thursday by SPS, Mr. Hatoyama called on Japan to denounce the violations of human rights being carried out by Morocco in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.


He also urged his country (Japan) to contribute "concretely" to the quick implement of the referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.


He, therefore, regretted for the fact that colonialism still exists in Western Sahara.


Yukio Hatoyama is a former Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 16 September 2009 to 2 June 2010.


First elected to the House of Representatives in 1986. Hatoyama became President of the Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition party, in May 2009. (SPS)


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