The Sunday Business Post, 15 November 2015
Colin Murphy reports on his visits to the Polisario-run camps, in Algeria, some years ago and more recently where roughly 100,000 people live a barren existence, without a functioning economy or proper services.
He writes, “On a separate trip to Western Sahara, I met dozens of Sahrawi activists who said they had been arrested, beaten, imprisoned and tortured for activities ranging from graffiti to human rights work to political protest. Among these was Brahim Sabbar, whom I met in Dublin again recently, as he attended an event run by the Irish human rights organisation, Front Line Defenders. (…cont.)
Yearly Archives: 2015
Global Change, Peace and Security: Western Sahara: The Role of Resources in its Continuing Occupation
13 November 2015
La Trobe Law School announces the publication of the latest issue of
Global Change, Peace & Security, Special Issue: Western Sahara: The Role of Resources in its Continuing Occupation (Issue 27(3), October 2015).
To read about the right to self-determination, political and socio-economic factors that may inhibit its exercise, and the possible consequences of failure to give effect to that right in the context of the Saharawis of Western Sahara and Morocco’s exploitation of Saharawi natural resources, see this latest issue.
The journal is published by Routledge in association with La Trobe Law School.
Activists gather to demand that Morocco’s king stop obstructing Referendum or leave Western Sahara
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 10-11 AM
(Washington, DC)…Human rights activists, including representatives of the US-Western Sahara Foundation, Nonviolent International, Sahrawi refugees and a former MINURSO official, gathered at the Embassy of Morocco Friday, November 6 at 10 am to submit a petition demanding that King Mohamed VI of Morocco stop obstructing the UN planned referendum over Western Sahara or withdraw from their illegal occupation of Western Sahara.
Continue reading
40 years of hurt: The never-ending scandal of the Western Sahara
Richard Dowden
The Royal African Society, Britain’s prime Africa organisation. Friday, 6 November 2015
Forty years ago today (6 November), Morocco invaded Western Sahara, a former Spanish colonial possession – mostly made up of desert – in West Africa.
As Spain walked away, Morocco claimed the territory as part of its ancient empire. The UN had declared that it was up to the people of the territory to decide their own future,(…cont)
5 November 2015 – The Guardian UK publishes letter initiated by Western Sahara Campaign UK
The letter initiated by the Western Sahara Campaign UK has been published in the Guardian online and in print on 5 November 2015 and has been signed by a number of support groups for Western Sahara from around the world.
Africa is not yet free
Thinker_66_cover
Malainin Lakhal
The Thinker, Vol 66, 2015
In 1963, the United Nations (UN) included Western Sahara in the list of countries to be decolonized and asserted the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. In 1966 the UN, for the first time, passed a resolution calling for this self-determination to be exercised by referendum. On 31 October 1975, Morocco and Mauritania invaded Western Sahara as Spain (the former colonial power) looked on. (cont.)
Heavy rains wash away homes and hope for Western Sahara refugees
Matthew Vickery, Mohamedsalem Werad
Middle East Eye, Wednesday 28 October 2015
TINDOUF, Algeria – Heavy rains have been pounding much of North Africa and Middle East, bringing destruction in their wake and causing heavy flooding, but the torrential downpours have taken a particularly heavy toll on the vulnerable refugee community in Algeria’s Tindouf province.
“I’m just grateful for the safety of my children,” Fatima Omar says (…cont)
Urgent appeal to assist flood relief efforts in Saharawi refugee camps
Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) Media Release
27 October 2015
Appeal to assist flood relief efforts in Saharawi refugee camps
The Australia Western Sahara Association is appealing for funds to assist relief work in the Western Sahara refugee camps where week-long torrential rains have devastated homes, hospitals and schools and destroyed food stores.
‘Never before have the Saharawi refugee camps been hit by a natural disaster of this magnitude,’ said Kamal Fadel, representative of Western Sahara in Australia.
Tax deductible donations can be made online at APHEDA >>
At APHEDA webpage select C. One Off Donations and then select ‘Western Sahara’ from drop down list)
or call APHEDA on 1800 888 674
Refugee camps: Torrential rains continue and losses are on the rise.
Friday 23 October 2015
Damage has affected 30 thousand houses at the very least, and the damage in infrastructure and essential services facilities (schools, hospitals …) ranged between 75 and 80%.
Tents , blankets , food and medicine are desperately needed. The Saharawi Red Crescent have issued a statement stating that the refugees are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, specifically tents, food and medicine.
Refugee camps: Torrential Rain causes widespread damage to buildings, homes and food stores
Floods leave considerable damage in the wilaya of Dajla
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Dajla (Saharawi refugee camps) -The wilaya of Dajla, in the Saharawi refugee camps, was hit by heavy rains since Monday, leaving considerable damage and “heavy floods have destroyed several public buildings and community centers, and have destroyed several homes of refugees, no victims are reported so far.”