Shahid Al-Hafed (refugee camps), 5 March 2016 (SPS) - The situation of human rights in Western Sahara, the illegal exploitation of Sahrawi natural resources by Morocco and the holding of the referendum on self-determination will be the main issues that will be discussed by the Sahrawi officials with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday during his visit, said Sahrawi Foreign Minister Mohammed Salem Ould Salek in Shahid Al-Hafed (Sahrawi refugee camps) on Friday.
In a statement to APS, Ould Salek said that the visit of Ban Ki-moon to Smara (refugee camps) and the liberated territories of Bir Lehlou "shows the importance of the Sahrawi question and the UN efforts and commitment to end the Moroccan colonization."
During their discussions with the UN chief, the Sahrawi officials will underlined the urgent need to hold a referendum on the self-determination of the Sahrawi people.
"MINURSO (UN Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara) must fulfill the mission assigned to it since 1991 by holding a referendum on the self-determination of Sahrawi people," said Ould Salek, adding that this question will be discussed with Ban Ki-moon during his visit.
The extension of MINURSO's prerogatives to human rights monitoring in the occupied Sahrawi territories will be also addressed, said Ould Salek, adding that the Sahrawi side will demand "investigations into the abuses, acts of violence and torture committed by the Moroccan occupation forces against Sahrawi people."
The illegal exploitation of Sahrawi natural resources by Morocco will be also discussed, he said, adding that the UN must assume its responsibility in the implementation of its resolutions. (SPS)
062/090/700