Brussels, December 16, 2015 (SPS) - European United Left / Nordic Green left (GUE/NGL) group at the European Parliament urged the United Nations, on Wednesday, to expand the prerogatives of its Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to include monitoring of human rights.
In a draft amendment relating to Western Sahara proposed as part of a European Parliament resolution on the annual report 2014 about human rights and democracy in the world, and European Union's relevant policy to be voted Thursday in Strasbourg, the group called the United Nations "to expand MINURSO's prerogatives to include monitoring and reporting on human rights, like the other UN peacekeeping missions across the world."
The MEPs reiterated their support for a "fair and lasting settlement of Western Sahara conflict on the basis of Saharawi people's right to self-determination, in line with relevant United Nations resolutions."
European United Left / Nordic Green left (GUE/NGL) group at the European Parliament also calls for respect of Saharawi people's basic rights, especially freedom of association, freedom of expression and the right of assembly.
The group, in its draft amendment, calls for "the release of all Saharawi political prisoners" and asks that "an access to Western Sahara territories" be granted to MPs, independent observers, NGOs and reporters." (SPS)
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