Banjul, Oct 31, 2013 (SPS) - Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), Mrs. Zainabo Sylvie Kayitesi, has expressed "deep concern" over the escalated violations of human rights in the occupied Western Sahara, in a meeting held Wednesday in Banjul, capital of Gambia, with Mr. Abba Heisan, Secretary General of Saharawis Jurists Union.
This meeting also attended by Mrs. Mary Maboroke, ACHPR’s Secretary General.
Ms. Kayitesi voiced deep concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied part of Western Sahara, emphasizing that in accordance with its legal mandate, ACHPR will work to defend the rights of the Saharawi people, and to expand the task of the MINURSO to include the monitoring and protection of human rights."
She, therefore, indicated that the Commission (ACHPR) will work to implement the recommendation of the recent summit of AU Heads of State and Government in organizing a visit to occupied territories of SADR to investigate the Moroccan human rights violations and submit a report about that before the summit.
Saharawis official, for his part, informed his interlocutors about the latest developments on the Saharawis question, especially the Moroccan systematic repression against Saharawis citizens in parallel with the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy Mr. Christopher Ross to the Territory.
He, on other hand, congratulated Mrs. Kayitesi and her new office for their election at the helm of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
Mr. Abba Heisan handed over, during this meeting, a letter from the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz, to ACHPR relating to serious situation in the occupied territories of SADR.
Mrs. Zainabo Sylvie Kayitesi of Rwanda has been elected as a Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, succeding Catherine Dupe Atoki of Nigeria. (SPS)
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