Rome, Nov 16, 2013 (SPS ) - "The protection of human rights in the territories of Western Sahara is first a responsibility of the international community and UN bodies, before being a responsibility of civil society," said Saturday in Rome (Italy) the Vice- President of the Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations Committed by the Moroccan State in Western Sahara (ASVDH), Ghalia Djeimy.
"The protection of human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara should not be concern only for non-governmental organizations and associations, even if they do a remarkable job in terms of denouncement and awareness," she said, in a statement to APS on the sidelines of the 38th European Conference of Coordination and Support to the Saharawi People (EUCOCO).
According to Ghalia Djeimi, the responsibility to impose the respect for human rights in Western Sahara and maintain their dignity falls, first, on the international community, including primarily the major powers and the United Nations, which is still "hesitated" with regard to expanding the powers of MINURSO to include the issue of human rights.
"Now, the parliamentarians, politicians and human rights defenders have at first hand seen the tragedy experienced by the Sahrawis. The world has finally opened his eyes and the condemning reactions have multiplied,"she said.
The Saharawi activist, in the same context, indicated that if France and Spain stops supporting the Moroccan kingdom, which they consider as a rear base and strategic ally they use it anytime to destabilize the region, the Western Sahara will be able to get independence at short notice.
She, in this respect, called for the international mobilization to establish an international mechanism to monitor human rights in Western Sahara under auspices of the United Nations. (SPS)
090/089/TRA