Geneva (Switzerland), June 04, 2024 (SPS) - Representatives of the countries comprising the Geneva Support Group for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Western Sahara, reiterated "their steadfast support for the struggle of the Sahrawi people and their just cause to establish their right to self-determination and independence", stressing "that international law, the United Nations Charter and its clear resolutions regarding decolonization remain the only way to resolve the conflict in Western Sahara".
During its second regular meeting for the year 2024, the Geneva Support Group approved its work program for the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, which will start on June 18 and continue until July 12, which will include organizing seminars on the Sahrawi issue in addition to other activities on the sidelines of the session.
The meeting listened to a presentation by Mr. Eric Hagen, President of the Western Sahara Resources Watch, as the guest of honor at the meeting, in which he addressed the issue of the systematic looting of the Western Sahara natural resources by The Moroccan occupation and its impact on the path of the peaceful settlement, highlighting the various aspects of this looting and the companies involved from different nationalities.
At the end of his presentation, the international expert called on the countries in solidarity with the Sahrawi people to pay special attention to the need to stop this illegal exploitation, considering that "ending the Moroccan military occupation in Western Sahara begins with cutting off its funding artery from these agreements and the companies involved," stressing that "Morocco continues to finance settlement projects and tightens its security and economic grip on the region, which postpones the peace process and enabling the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination."
For his part, the Sahrawi Ambassador Oubi Bouchraya Al-Bashir, Representative of the Polisario Front in Switzerland, the United Nations and international Organizations in Geneva, gave a presentation on the latest developments in the Sahrawi issue in various arenas, focusing on the continued stumbling of the UN process due to the obstruction of the Moroccan side and the failure of the UN Security Council to assume its responsibility in forcing the Kingdom of Morocco to cooperate in implementing the agreement signed with the Polisario Front, which stipulates the organization of a free and fair referendum for self-determination in Western Sahara.
The Sahrawi diplomat touched on the reality of human rights violations in Western Sahara and the continued absence of an international mechanism to protect it, as well as the prospects of the litigation process before the European Court of Justice.
The Geneva Support Group for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Western Sahara, chaired this year by Ambassador Julia Imene-Chanduru, the Permanent Representative of Namibia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, includes ambassadors of 15 countries that recognize the Sahrawi Republic and has been working for years to convey the voice of the Sahrawi people to the Human Rights Council at the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva and to pressure to ensure respect for their legitimate rights, most notably the right to self-determination and independence.
(SPS)