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Conference in Canary Islands on "Peace process in Western Sahara, human rights"

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Madrid, June 09 2016 (SPS) - Experts in international law, jurists and Spanish activists supporting the Sahrawi cause will partake Friday in the Canary Islands in a conference entitled "Spanish towns stand by the Sahrawi people," President of the National Federation of Institutions Working in Solidarity with the Saharawi People (FEDISSAH) Carmelo Ramirez announced.
Ten experts and Sahrawi and Spanish activists including "Secretary General of the International Association of Jurists for Western Sahara (IAJUWS) Felipe Briones, the National Coordinator of Spanish Associations of Solidarity with Western Sahara Jose Taboada and Representative of the Polisario Front in Spain Khira Bulahi" will take part in this conference held under the slogan "For a self-determination referendum and respect for human rights in Western Sahara."
Ten papers will be presented during this conference, which will focus on the current situation of the peace process, the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people and violations of human rights in the occupied territories.
Besides, the conference, organized by the National Federation of Institutions Working in Solidarity with the Saharawi People (FEDISSAH) in collaboration with the Council of Canary Islands, will also assess efforts spent by the Spanish civil society and political parties for support to the Sahrawi cause, mainly the parliamentary intergroup and its stands, in addition to the campaign for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners detained in Moroccan prisons.
"Moreover, participants in this conference will draw attention on the need for the Sahrawi people to exercise its right to decide its path so as to put an end to the decolonization process of this territory by Spain," Rimerez said, warning against "the return of war in the occupied territories of Western Sahara in view of the continuous violations of human rights by Morocco."  
He stressed that the next Spanish government "must change its stand on this conflict that has lasted for decades, and play a more active role in its settlement."SPS
 
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