Bir Lehlou (liberated territories) - The President of the Republic Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz called on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) to “provide international protection for the Sahrawi people,” particularly folowing the heavy death toll among the Sahrawi protesters in the occupied cities of El Ayun and Smara during the visit of UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross.
Sahrawi president made this request in a letter to UNCHR in which he said that the large number of victims shows the “revanchist and aggressive intention of the Moroccan occupation authorities, which continue to use terrifying and repressive methods” against Sahrawi people.
Saharwi president underlined the "urgent" need for a UN mechanism which allows the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to protect, monitor and report on human rights in Western Sahara, to lift the blockade imposed on the Sahrawi occupied territories and immediately withdraw Moroccan repression forces.
Addressing High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, Abdelaziz said that “we call on the High Commissioner for Human Rights to intervene to allow Sahrawi people to enjoy their right to freedom of expression, rallying, peaceful demonstrations.” (SPS)
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