New York, October 9, 2017 (SPS) - Debates of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) expressed the international community's strong support to self-determination referendum in Western Sahara.
During the debate on decolonization of non-autonomous territories, participants showed a great interest in the Sahrawi issue following the recent developments in the occupied territories.
The South-African delegation, which partook in this debate, stressed that Morocco is an occupying power, according the UN General Assembly and decisions of the International Court of Justice.
Representative of the South Africa Wouter Hofmeyer Zaayman reiterated his country's solidarity with the Sahrawi people's struggle, recalling that the right to auto-determination is the foundation stone of the South African democracy.
Zaayman called on the UN Security Council to include the human rights protection staff in the Minurso mandate, which must resume its functions in accordance with resolution 2285 of the UN Security Council.
Representative of Nicaragua affirmed that "any solution to the Sahrawi issue depends on the self-determination referendum."
Ruben Ignacio Zamora Rivas from Salvador advocated the resumption of negotiations between the Polisario Front and Morocco, reiterating his support to the resolution on Western Sahara presented by 25 countries including Algeria.
For his part, Bolivia's representative Sacha Sergio recalled for the adoption of resolution 1540 adopted by the Assembly General in 1960 recognizes peoples' right to decolonization.
The Fourth Committee will meet next Monday to adopt some draft-resolutions on decolonization. (SPS)
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