Tunis, Dec 16, 2012 (SPS) - The preparatory assembly of World Social Forum “Tunisia 2013” opened Friday evening at headquarters of the Tunisian General Labour Union in the Tunisian capital, in the presence of Saharawi delegation.
The three-day meeting is attended by delegates from Maghreb Union countries, Europe, Latin America as well as delegates from Egypt, Palestine and Saharawi delegation
The Saharawi delegation is led by the Secretary General of Saharawi Workers Union (UGTSARIO) Mr. Mohamed Sheikh Mohamed Lehbib, and composed of Woman Union Executive Bureau’s Member Mariam Selma Said, AFAPREDESA Executive Bureau’s Member Mohamed Hallab, Saharawi Social Forum Dynamism’s Member Lehsen Muthbeg, and Representative of AFAPREDESA in France Bachir Muthbeg.
The meeting initiated by observing a minute of silence on memory of Arab revolutions martyrs. It shed light on the agenda of the preparatory assembly, to open the discussion on concrete proposals on the programme of World Social Forum to be held next March in Tunis.
Participants focused on the need to address the issue of democracy and human rights, as well the issues related to development.
Addressing the meeting, the Saharawi delegation shed light on the need to find a prominent space within the Forum for the Saharawi cause, its continuity hinders any progress in the region, recalling to the plundering of natural resources, Moroccan wall of shame that separates Saharawi families and thwarts development and integration, without to mention its environmental damage.
The meeting underlined, at the end of its first day, a number of issues in the context of the proposals submitted to the Forum, including the issue of Western Sahara and the right of peoples to self-determination. (SPS)
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