Washington, October 20, 2014 (SPS) -The American organization (US-Western Sahara Foundation) launched an urgent appeal to the international community to ensure respect for the human rights situation in Western Sahara occupied by Morocco.
In a statement released by the Foundation, Chiarwoman of this NGO, Suzanne Scholte reiterated her call to the international community to "urgently intervene" to stop arbitrary violations against defenseless Saharawi civilians in the occupied territories of Western Sahara who peacefully claim their legitimate self-determination and independence rights.
The Foundation urged the Security Council of the United Nations to extend the mandate of MINURSO to monitor and report ongoing violations of human rights in Western Sahara, regretting the fact that Moroccan authorities continued violence against Sahrawi civilians, including killing and torture.
"The UN and the international community must take urgent action to end the unjustified violence against defenseless civilians and to promote respect for freedom of gathering, movement and expression in the territories of Western Sahara occupied by Morocco," Scholte.
She also urged Morocco to lift the state of siege in Western Sahara to allow access for independent observers and journalists wishing to travel to the territory.
Besides, Scholte offered condolences to the Saharawi people following the tragic death of the Saharawi political prisoner and human rights activist, Hassena Elouali, noting that his death is another chapter of the suffering of the Saharawi people under Moroccan occupation for more than forty years. (SPS)
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