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.
New report: Certified occupation
International certification standards embellish Morocco’s controversial trade with fisheries and agricultural products in occupied Western Sahara, new report documents.
Certification giant SGS points fingers elsewhere
SGS blames everyone else for mistakes on MarinTrust certificates it had issued to Moroccan companies in occupied Western Sahara.
New report: Greenwashing Occupation
Out now: WSRW today publishes a new report outlining the massive - and deeply problematic - renewable energy projects that Morocco is developing in occupied Western Sahara.
GMP+ does not check if “sustainable” fish is legally caught
The world’s largest certification scheme for “safe and sustainable animal feed” does not check whether its certified fish feed companies source from illegal fisheries in occupied Western Sahara, where catches violate the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination.