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Gathering outside Moroccan embassy in Tshwane to protest illegal occupation of Western Sahara

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Tshwane, Pretoria (South Africa), Oct 6, 2012 (SPS) - Thousands of South African workers, including members of WFTY, gathered Wednesday outside Morocco’s embassy in Tshwane in Pretoria, South Africa, to register their “serious protest and indignation” at Morocco’s continued illegal occupation of Western Sahara.


The demonstration was held on the International Day of Action of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).


At the end of the act, WFTY delivered a letter to Morocco's embassy in which they confirmed that “Morocco occupation of Western Sahara is illegal under international law and the right of the Saharawi to self-determination is an inalienable and fundamental principle enshrined in the United Nations Charter.”


It urged Moroccan government to “discontinue its illegal occupation of Saharawi territory which it occupied for more three decades and immediately withdraw its occupying forces from Western Sahara.


“Your government should immediately adhere to UN resolutions calling for the implementation of the referendum for self-determination as the only viable and sustainable basis for resolving the conflict of annexation of Saharawi territory, stated the statement.


WFTY asked Morocco to immediately put an end to the illegal exploitation and plundering of the Saharawi natural resources, stop the systematic violation of human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, stop the illegal exploitation of Western Sahara wealth.


Moreover, the demonstrators called for the dismantling of the wall of shame that separates Saharawi territory, release all political prisoners including providing a full account of forced disappearances of Saharawi human rights and other activists under Moroccan custody, as to recognise right to self-determination of the Saharawi people.


On other hand, they praised “the courage, resilience and determination of the Saharawi People, under POLISARIO FRONT to struggle for their rights and to achieve self-determination.” (SPS)


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