Brussels, October 7, 2011 (SPS) - The Polisario Front Representation in Europe has condemned the continuing attacks on the Sahrawi civilian population in the southern occupied Western Sahara of Dakhla (formerly Villacisneros), in a statement released by the Representation.
“Since 25 September, Saharawis demonstrating peacefully for the right of self-determination have been attacked by Moroccan settlers and security forces. A young Saharawi activist, Maichan Mohamed Lamin Lehbib, aged 28, was murdered by the Moroccans. Women, children and the elderly among the demonstrators have been injured, seven of them seriously. Twenty-five are still missing. Many young Saharawis have been arrested, Saharawi houses have been pillaged and their cars and possessions burned,” the statement recalled.
"This is taking place out of sight of the international community –Moroccan forces have once again closed Western Sahara to independent observers, journalists and NGOs. The EU must send a fact-finding mission to Dakhla to investigate these tragic and terrible events. The EU must not simply give credence to Moroccan distortions of the facts of what has happened in the last few days," the statement added.
The Representation called on the EU to demand that the Moroccan Government cease its repression of the Saharawi people, release Saharawi political prisoners, respect the fundamental rights of the Saharawi people to self-determination; and end the state of siege in the occupied territory of the Western Sahara. (SPS)
062/000