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French President asked to respect human rights in Western Sahara (letter)

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Paris, Feb 18, 2018 (SPS) - The Platform for Solidarity with the Saharawi People in France has asked French President Francois Hollande to support the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination, which can only be realized through a referendum consistent with the values of the French Republic and international law.


In a letter to French President, the association said that the time has come for France to change its attitude vis-à-vis the question of Western Sahara, urging the French government to end its “unconditional” support to Morocco, which remains unpunished for its violations of human rights.


The letter urged France to live up to its values by stop opposing the establishment of a UN mechanism to monitor human rights in Western Sahara, in the next meeting of the Security Council on the issue next April.


The Association, on other hand, criticized France’s decision to give the Legion d'honneur, to the head of Moroccan domestic intelligence, Abdellatif Hammouchi, who faces lawsuits over torture against Moroccans and Saharawis.


It also warned that such move would encourage Morocco to continue its repression in Western Sahara, highlighting that Moroccan authorities recently expelled two French journalists from the territory.


It, in the conclusion, underlined that pro self-determination peaceful demonstrations by the Saharawi people are met with violence, recalling that there is a group of prisoners, Gdeim Izik, are serving heavy sentences ranging from 20 to life in prison. (SPS)


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