Copenhagen, April 13, 2013 (SPS) - Fifty-six political parties, organizations and local and EU MPs from the Scandinavia region sent Friday a letter to the President of UN Security Council, in which they demanded the enlargement of MINURSO mandate to include the protection of human rights in Western Sahara, and the release of Saharawi political prisoners.
The letter, which signed by organizations, parties and parliamentarians from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland, recalled that the main task of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) still that of conducting a self-determination referendum for the Saharawi people in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
“The situation of human rights has worsened, especially after the violent dismantling by Moroccan army of Gdeim Izik camp and the subsequent arrests, torture and military trial of Sahrawi political detainees,” stated the letter.
They called on the Security Council to adopt a clear decision granting the MINURSO the power to monitor and protect human rights, urging him to work in favour of the release of the Saharawi political prisoners.
The letter was described by POLISARIO Representatives to Denmark and Sweden as one of the most important manifestation of strong support with the Saharawi cause in the Scandinavia region.
The letter came as an initiative by the Danish Non-Governmental-Organization Afrika Kontakt, which has been working on raising awareness about the Saharawi cause for years. (SPS)
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