Istanbul (Turkey), March 26, 2012 (SPS) - The Socialist International Special Committee on the Arab World has reiterated its support for the right of the Saharawi people to self determination, expressing willingness to work for democracy and human rights.
Gathered in Istanbul for its second meeting on 23-24 March 2012 to address the developments in Arab World, the Committee reaffirmed, in a final communiqué , on right of the Saharawi people to self determination as expressed by the Socialist International Council in Athens last year.
The Committee confirmed that the Socialist International will continue to work with all actors in favor of democracy and human rights, urging Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue to negotiate a peaceful and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict under auspices of the United Nations.
Speaking during the meeting, the Saharawi Minister Delegate in charge of Europe, Mr. Mohamed Sidati, recalled that Gdeim Izik, which was bloodily suppressed by the Moroccan occupation forces, is a founding event to the recent struggles waged by peoples for freedom, democracy and self-determination.
"There is deteriorating situation in Western Sahara due to the policies of occupation and fierce repression relentlessly carried out by Morocco against the Saharawi people," underlined Mr. Mohamed Sidati, adding that this policy "thwarts peace efforts and secret tensions, as well it poses serious threats to the stability and security in the region."
The meeting was attended by delegates from 21 European and Middle Eastern socialist parties, in addition to the Saharawi Representative to Europe, Mr. Mohamed Sidati. (SPS)
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