Dozens of Saharawis demonstrated in Smara, occupied Western Sahara, against marginalisation in their wealthy homeland. Several are said to be injured.
The Moroccan government is managing the natural resources in Western Sahara as if the territory were Moroccan. It is not. No state in the world, nor the UN, recognise the Moroccan sovereignty claims over the territory.
The people of the territory has the right to self-determination over their own land, and the right to, themselves, choose how their resources should be managed.
In Smara, occupied Western Sahara, a demonstration took place on 14 April 2016 calling for that right to be respected, and for the Saharawi people's right to work. One banner reads "Sahara is a rich land, but Saharawis are poor people". Another underlined how the Saharawis are not benefiting from the EUs partnerships with Morocco in the occupied territory.
A 09:23 minute long video has also been made from the demonstration. Download that video here. 03:00 A Saharawi is holding a poster "Sahara phosphate for Saharawis..."
One of the persons who took part in the demonstration told WSRW that the demonstration culminated by police chasing the demonstrators down the side streets of the main avenue.
"Security forces intervened violently. As a result of this, there were many injuries", WSRW was told.
WSRW were given the names of 24 people who were allegedly injured, but has not sought to verify the veracity of the injuries.
Download the images for high resolution versions.
One of the richest coastlines in the world
The fish stocks of occupied Western Sahara have not only attracted the interest of the Moroccan fleet: other foreign interests are also fishing in the occupied waters through arrangements with Moroccan counterparts. Along the Western Saharan coastline, a processing industry has emerged.
The CJEU Court Cases
Keeping track of the many legal proceedings relating to Western Sahara is not easy. This page offers an overview of the cases concerning the territory that have been before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
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