426 organisations protest EU plans for Western Sahara
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No less than 426 organisations signed a petition letter, demanding from the EU Commission that occupied Western Sahara be kept clearly outside of the so- called Advanced Status cooperation that Morocco currently is being granted. The petition was sent to the EU Commission this morning. PRESS RELEASE.

Published 05 December 2008

PRESS RELEASE from Western Sahara Resource Watch

Melbourne, Brussels, Madrid
5th December 2008

The larger part of Western Sahara has been illegally occupied by Morocco since 1975. Morocco tries to integrate the occupied country into its own economy, and through the new "EU membership light", the EU risks lending further legitimacy to that process.

The EU-Moroccan talks have to this day not stated that the occupied Western Sahara be kept outside of the cooperation.

"If the EU does not clearly exclude Western Sahara from the Advanced Status cooperation, it could end up supporting Morocco's illegal occupation of its neighbouring country", said Cate Lewis, International Coordinator of Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW), the organisers behind the petition. 

"If the EU has lost this fundamental perspective on ethics and on international law, it is up to the international civil society to point them to their responsibilities" , Lewis said.

All the main Sahrawi organisations and networks working in the occupied country and in exile have joined the campaign named "Say no to Advanced Status for Occupied Country". The letter was sent to Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs.

"In the mere 4 weeks since we opened this petition we've seen an avalanche of organisations joining the appeal. This massive global support also reflects the real preoccupation by the Sahrawi people over the EU's intentions", stated Lewis.

Among the other signatories, one finds prominent international organisations such as Solidar, the Rafto Foundation, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation and War on Want, shoulder to shoulder with individual trade unions such as the South African COSATU, the Spanish CCOO Comisiones Obreras and Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), as well as the umbrella organisation The World Federation of Trade Unions.

The petition also drew support from political parties, such as the Norwegian Liberal Party, the South African Communist Party, the Australian Socialist Alliance and the Spanish Unión Progreso y Democracia. The demand to exclude Western Sahara from the Moroccan Advanced Status was even backed up from within the European Institutions, through the signature of the European Parliament's Intergroup for Western Sahara.

Read the petition and the list of signatories below.

For questions and comments:
Sara Eyckmans, Brussels, WSRW EU Coordinator, mob (+32) 475 958 645 
Cate Lewis, Melbourne, WSRW International Coordinator, mob (+61) 407 288 358 
Javier García Lachica, Madrid, WSRW Spain, (+34) 615-917-339 
www.wsrw.org

Over 100 UN Resolutions call for the Western Sahara's people's right to self-determination. The UN treats Western Sahara as a decolonisation issue, and has labelled it both "occupied" and "annexed". Furthermore, Morocco's unfounded claim on the territory has been rejected by the International Court of Justice.

WSRW is a global network with member organisations in more than 30 countries worldwide, working to protect the Sahrawi people's natural resources against Moroccan and foreign business interests in occupied Western Sahara.


To the attention of Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner
EU Commissioner for External Relations
200 Rue de la Loi 
B-1049 Bruxelles
Belgium

MOROCCO'S ADVANCED STATUS MUST EXCLUDE WESTERN SAHARA

We, the signatories of this petition, demand that the European Union do not grant a so-called Advanced Status to Morocco, unless the occupied part of Western Sahara is specifically excluded from the agreement. 

The EU and Morocco are currently in discussion on deepening their ties through this cooperation but, so far, there has been no mentioning in the reports from the EU-Morocco talks as to what is being done to prevent occupied Western Sahara from being included into the cooperation agreement. 

If the EU would actually grant Advanced Status to occupied Western Sahara, through its negotiations with Morocco as the occupying power, it will give an unfortunate sign of support to the unfounded Moroccan claims over the territory. It could also lead to the EU damaging the UN's efforts to decolonise the territory. 

We would like to underline that Morocco continues to be an illegally occupying power in Western Sahara, in violation of over 100 UN Resolutions which call for the Western Sahara's people's right to self-determination. A number of Resolutions point to the fact that Western Sahara is an occupied and annexed territory. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice has rejected Morocco's claims over Western Sahara, and the UN considers the Western Sahara case as a decolonisation issue. 

Under international customary law, the EU and its member states have a duty of non-recognition of the Moroccan annexation of Western Sahara, and to support the decolonisation of the territory. It is also a moral obligation, as long as the Sahrawi people suffer either in exile or under severe human rights violations committed by the Moroccan forces in the occupied territories of Western Sahara. 

The EU should therefore make sure that Western Sahara is unambiguously excluded from the territorial applicability of the Advanced Status cooperation, without delegating this responsibility to Morocco itself.

If the EU was to make such a precision, it would follow for instance the USA, who in their free trade agreement with Morocco have specifically excluded Western Sahara. It would also follow its own example of excluding the Palestinian territories from the EU-Israel Association Agreement. We urge the EU to follow these precedents and support the UN peace process by respecting its duty of non-recognition.

We, the signatories of this petition, are in principle not against a strengthened cooperation between the EU and Morocco. However, we demand that the agreement coming out of the Advanced Status talks will clearly specify that its applicability shall not extend further south than to Morocco�s internationally recognised southern border, namely 27'40'N.

Sincerely yours,

1. Western Sahara Resource Watch

2. Raftostiftelsen (The Rafto Foundation), Norway

3. The World Federation of Trade Unions

4. COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions), South Africa

5. IPJET - International Platform of Jurists for East Timor

6. Vänsterpartiet (Left Party) [The Kronoberg county branch has also signed independently], Sweden 

7. Solidar

8. CGTP-IN Confederação Geral dos trabalhadores Portugueses- Intersindical Nacional (General Confederation of Portuguese Workers), Portugal

9. UNPO - Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation, The Netherlands

10. USO - Unión Sindical Obrera (Syndicate Trade Union), Spain

11. ARSO - Association de soutien à un référendum libre et régulier au Sahara Occidental (Association for a fair and free referendum in Western Sahara), Switzerland

12. Unión, Progreso y Democracia (Union, Progress and Democracy), Spain

13. War on Want, United Kingdom

14. Venstre (The Liberal Party of Norway), Norway

15. African National Congress Youth League, South Africa

16. South African Communist Party, South Africa

17. CCOO (Comisiones Obreras), Spain

18. Intergroup on Western Sahara in the European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium

19. Kristdemokratiska Studentförbundet (Christian Democratic Student Union), Sweden

20. One World Action, United Kingdom

21. MDM - Movimento Democrático de Mulheres (Democratic Women's Movement), Portugal

22. Fédération des Jeunes Verts (Federation of Young Greens), France

23. Conselho Portugués para a Paz e Cooperação (Portuguese Council for Peace and Co-operation), Portugal [Almada Pela Paz branch signed independently]

24. Ung Vänster (Young Left), Sweden

25. Pax Christi Australia, Australia 

26. Støttekomiteen for Vest-Sahara (Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara), Norway

27. Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund / ÖGB (Austrian Trade Union Federation), Austria

28. Kritische Ökologie / ifak e.V. (Critical Ecology / Inst. for Appl. Cultural Research), Germany

29. Liberala Kvinnor (Liberal Women), Sweden

30. Sosialistisk Ungdom (Socialist Youth League of Norway), Norway

31. Korean House for International Solidarity (KHIS), Republic of Korea

32. Suomen Rauhanpuolustajat ry (Finnish Peace Committee), Finland

33. Föreningen Västsahara, The Swedish Committee for Western Sahara, Sweden

34. U.S.-Western Sahara Foundation, USA 

35. Örnsköldsviks FN-förening (Swedish UN Association, local chapter in Örnsköldsvik), Sweden

36. Partido Ecologistica - Os Verdes (Green party), Portugal

37. Western Sahara Campaign UK

38. Socialistisk Ungdomsfront (Socialist Youth Front), Denmark

39. USL - União dos Sindicatos de Lisboa (Lisbon Trade Unions), Portugal

40. Generación de la Amistad Saharaui (The Friendship Generation), Western Sahara/Spain

41. Heinrich-Barth-Institut für Archäologie und Umweltgeschichte Afrikas e.V. (Heinrich Barth Institute for African Archaeology and Environmental History), Germany

42. Støttekomiteen for Vest Sahara i Danmark (Danish Support Committee for the Saharawi People), Denmark

43. Solidariteitsgroep Westelijke Sahara (Solidarity Group Western Sahara), Belgium

44. Tierra Libre, Spain

45. Drustvo Za Podporo Zahodni Sahari (The Western Sahara Support Society), Slovenia

46. Partido Impulso Democrático, Spain

47. BIRDHSO - Bureau International pour le Respect des Droits Humains au Sahara Occidental (International Bureau for the Respect of Human Rights in Western Sahara), Switzerland

48. Club de Amigos de la UNESCO, Spain

49. Nihon Saharawi Kyokai (Japan Sahara Association), Japan

50. SNTCT (National Trade Union of Postal and Telecommunication Workers), Portugal

51. Solidaritetskommittén vid Jakobsbergs folkhögskola (Solidarity Committee of the Folk High School of Jakobsberg), Sweden

52. Mouvement Chrétien pour la Paix- Bruxelles, Belgium

53. S-kvinnor (Socialdemocratic women), Sweden

54. UJS - Union de Juristas Saharauis (Saharawi Jurists' Union), Western Sahara

55. New Zealand Western Sahara Association, New Zealand

56. United States Peace Council, United States of America

57. New Internationalist Publications, United Kingdom

58. Stichting Zelfbeschikking West-Sahara (The Netherlands Foundation for Self-determination in Western Sahara), The Netherlands

59. AFAPREDESA (Association of the Families of Saharawi Prisoners and Disappeards), Western Sahara

60. AWSA - Australia Western Sahara Association, Australia

61. Confederación Intersindical (STES, SF y STAS), Spain

62. Volkshilfe Österreich (People's Aid Austria), Austria

63. Unge Venstre (Young Liberals of Norway), Norway

64. Sosialistiliitto (Socialist Union), Finland

65. Central and Eastern European Alliance for the Solidarity with the Saharawi People, Hungary

66. AISAH - Asociación de Inmigrantes Saharauis de León (Association of Saharawi immigrants of León), Spain

67. Union de Periodistas y Escritores Saharauis (UPES) (Saharawi Journalists' and Writers' Union), Western Sahara

68. Juventud Saharaui, Saharawi Refugee Camps

69. Liberala ungdomsförbundet (Liberal youth), Sweden

70. Asociación Um Draiga, Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui en Aragón (Association Um Draiga, Friends of the Saharawi people in Aragon), Spain

71. AISOC - Asociación de inmigrantes del Sahara Occidental en Canarias (Association of Saharawi immigrants in the Canary Islands), Western Sahara/Spain

72. Fundación Xaley (Xaley Foundation), Spain

73. Tasmania Quaker Peace and Justice Committee, Australia

74. ASVDH - Association Sahraouie des Victimes des Violations Graves des Droits de l'Homme commises par l'Etat du Maroc (Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations commited by the Moroccan State), Western Sahara

75. Club of Independent Journalists supporting Sahrawi People's Right to Self-Determination, Mauritania

76. Stiftelsen Global Kunskap (Global Publications Foundation), Sweden 

77. AFASPA - Association française d'Amitié et de solidarité avec les peuples d'Afrique (French association of friendship and solidarity with the peoples of Africa), France

78. Asociación Estudiantil Alternativa de la Universidad de Granada, Spain

79. Asociación de Mujeres Saharauis en España (Saharawi Women Association), Spain

80. Espacios Europeos, Spain

81. Observatorio Galego para o Sáhara Occidental, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

82. Liberala studenter (Liberal students), Sweden

83. Festival de Cine Social y de los Derechos Humanos, CINE OTRO, Chile

84. Asociación Asturiana de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui (Asturias Association of friends of the Saharawi People), Spain

85. SUKS - Schweizerisches Unterstötzungskomitee für die Sahraouis (Swiss Supporting Comittee of Sahawi People), Switzerland

86. ACAPS - La Llagosta Solidaria, Spain

87. Centerpartiets Ungdomsförbund (Centre Party Youth), Sweden

88. Colectivo de Redacción LQSomos.org, Spain

89. ANSPS - Associazione Nazionale di Solidarietá con il Popolo Sahrawi (National Association of solidarity with Sahrawi People), Italy

90. Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker (Society for Threatened Peoples), Germany

91. Emmaus Björkå Association [The Stockholm and Gävle branches of Emmaus have also signed independently], Sweden

92. CSPRON - Sahrawi Commitee for Support to UN Resolution Plan and for Protection of Natural Resources in Western Sahara, Western Sahara

93. Socialist Alliance, Australia

94. Observatorio Aragones para el Sahara Occidental, Spain

95. Interkulturel Verein Vita, Switzerland

96. Young Socialists, New Zealand

97. Asociación Civil Yakarí - Para la Integración y Participación Ciudadana (Civil Association Yakarí - For Civil Integration and Participation), Spain/Venezuela

98. Fundación Mundubat (OneWorld Foundation), Spain

99. ¿Quien Debe a Quien? (Campaign against External Debt), Spain

100. Österreichisch Saharauische Gesellschaft - ÖSG (Austrian Saharawi Society), Austria

101. Colectivo de la Juventud Saharaui (Collective of the Saharawi Youth), Spain

102. Garrigues, Cooperacio Internacional del Grup cultural Garrigues, Spain

103. Associacio Catalana per al Desenvolupament i la Cooperacio, Spain

104. Bundesausschuss Friedensratschlag (Federal Committee Peace Council), Germany

105. AG Friedensforschung an der Universität Kassel (Working group Peace Studies, University of Kassel), Germany

106. Cantabria por el Sahara, Spain

107. Tidningen Anti (Political journal), Sweden

108. Federaciòn Andaluza de Asociaciones solidarias con el Sahara - FANDAS Sahara (Andalusian Federation of Associations supportive of the Sahara - FANDAS Sahara), Spain

109. Escritores por el Sáhara (Writers for Sahara), Spain

110. CEDEPU - Center of Studies for People's Democracy, Chile

111. Gemeinnützige Entwicklungszusammenarbeit GmbH (GEZA), Austria

112. Foro Social de Granada (Social Forum of Granada), Spain

113. ECOS - Traductores e Intérpretes por la Solidaridad (Translators and Interpretors for Solidarity), Spain

114. Haags Vredesplatform (Peace Platform, The Hague), The Netherlands

115. Associazione di solidarietá con il Popolo saharawi - Al Awda (Al Awda, Solidarity with Saharawi People), Italy

116. Medico International, Germany

117. Asociación Cultural y Juvenil ADAC Alcalá de Henares (Cultural Youth Association ADAC of Alcalá de Henares), Spain

118. UGT-SARIO, Western Sahara

119. Kulturverein Wechsel e.V., Germany

120. Colectivo Antimilitarista M.O.C. Las Palmas, Spain

121. Algeria-Watch, Germany

122. Vrede vzw, Belgium

123. SODePAZ - Solidaridad para el Desarrollo y la Paz (Solidarity for Development and Peace), Spain

124. Associació Terressaharaui, Spain

125. AARASD - Association des Amis de la RASD (Association of Friends of the RASD), France

126. Les Amis du Monde Diplomatique en Bélgique (Belgian Friends of Monde Diplomatique), Belgium

127. Asociación de Pequeño Comercio da Pobra do Caramiñal, Spain

128. Lembarki, Spain

129. Transformando - Cooperativa de Initiativa Social, Spain

130. Industri Energi (Trade Union for Industry and Energy), Norway

131. Vlaams Palestina Komitee vzw (Flemish Palestine Committee), Belgium

132. Comité de Soutien au Peuple Sahraoui, Belgium

133. Animo (Animo, Flemish Socialist Youth), Belgium

134. Grön Ungdom Riksorganisationen (Young Greens), Sweden

135. Asociación Cultural Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Castilla y León (Cultural Association of Friends of the Saharawi People, Castilla y León), Spain

136. Unión de Asociaciones Solidarias con el Pueblo Saharaui de Castilla y León (Union of Solidarity Associations with the Saharawi People, Castilla y León), Spain

137. Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Béjar (Friends of the Saharaui People, Béjar), Spain

138. SaharaLibre.es, Spain

139. Asociación de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui - Aminetu Haidar de Daganzo (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People), Spain

140. CEAR - Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado (Spanish Commission for Refugee Help), Spain

141. CAWSA - California Western Sahara Association, United States of America

142. La'o Hamutuk - The Timor-Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis, East Timor

143. Bir Lehlu - Asociación de Ayuda al Pueblo Saharaui (Association for Help to the Saharawi People), Spain

144. Ayuda Social al Sahara Occidental de Aspe (Social Help to Western Sahara, Aspe), Spain

145. Asociación del Pueblo Saharaui de Águilas (Association for the Saharawi People of Águilas), Spain

146. Africa Contact, Denmark

147. Asociación de Mujeres de Getafe "Manuela Galeote" (Association of Women of Getafe "Manuela Galeote"), Spain

148. Nätverket för Global Fred och Demokrati (Network for Global Peace and Democracy), Sweden

149. MHACASA: Mount Holyoke African and Caribbean Student Association, United States of America

150. Mount Holyoke College International Club, United States of America

151. ACAPS Wilaya Alt Penedès, Spain

152. Association des Sahraouis en France (Association of Saharawi in France), France

153. Association des Travailleurs Sahraouis en France (Association of Saharawi Workers in France), France

154. Asociación de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Guadalajara (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People, Guadalajara), Spain

155. Association Solidarité Enfants Sahraouis (Association for Solidarity with Saharawi Children), France

156. CODESA (Collective of Human Rights Defenders in Western Sahara), Western Sahara

157. Patchanka, Denmark

158. Asociación Leganes con el Pueblo Saharaui, Spain

159. Ireland Timor-Leste Association, Ireland

160. UMMA - Mount Holyoke College Muslim Students Association, United States of America

161. Asociación Grupo Scout 217 Matterhorn (Group Scout 217 Matterhorn Association), Spain

162. Cultural Canary Great Angular Association (Asociación Cultural Canaria Gran Angular), Spain

163. UJCE - Unión de Juventudes Comunistas de España (Comunist Youth Union of Spain), Spain

164. SAN - Seeds Action Network, Germany

165. Tidskriften Västsahara, Sweden

166. Asociación de Amigos y amigas del Pueblo Saharaui de Villafranca de los Barros- Badajoz (Association of Friends of the Sahrawi People - Villafranca de los Barros - Badajoz), Spain

167. United World Organization, United States of America

168. CEAS - Sahara, Coordinadora de Asociaciones Solidarias con el Sáhara, Spain

169. AISOC - Association of people from Western Sahara in Gran Canaria, Spain 

170. Comité Syndical des Travailleurs sahraouis, Western Sahara

171. Asociación de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Alcalá de Henares (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People of Alcalá de Henares), Spain

172. Associació Catalana d' Amics del Poble Sahrauí - ACAPS (Catalan Association of Friends of the Saharawi People), Spain (Anoia section signed independently)

173. Verein Freunde des Sahrauischen Volkes Basel (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People, Basel), Switzerland

174. Madison-Ainaro Sister-City Alliance, United States of America

175. Asociación de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Alcobendas y San Sebastián de los Reyes (Association of Friends of the Saharaui People of Alcebendas and San Sebastián de los Reyes), Spain

176. Dobrodelno društvo Tibet (Charitable society Tibet), Slovenia

177. Asociación Cultural Artegalia (Cultural Association Artegalia), Spain

178. DCLIC, Asociación Colectivo de Difusión y Creación Cultural (Cultural Creation and Difussion Ass.), Spain

179. Asociación de Amigos y Amigas de la RASD de Álava (Association of Friends of the RASD, Álava), Spain

180. IESBAA ELKARTEA - Asociacion de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Aretxabaleta (Assocation of Saharawi Friends from Aretxabaleta - IESBAA), Spain

181. SKV - svenska kvinnors vänsterförbund (The Left Federation of Swedish Women), Sweden

182. La Asociación de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Mora y Comarca (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People of Mora and Comarca), Spain

183. Coordinadora Regional de Asociaciones Solidarias con el Pueblo Saharaui de Castilla La Mancha (Regional Coordination of Solidarity Associations for the Saharawi People of Castilla La Mancha), Spain

184. Associazione El Ouali Bologna per la Libertá del Sahara Occidentale (Association El Ouali Bologna for the Western Sahara's freedom), Italy

185. Observatorio de Derechos Humanos Del Colegio de Abogados de Badajoz, Spain

186. CORELSO - Comité pour le respect des libertés et des droits humains au Sahara occidental (Committee for the Respect of liberties and human rights in Western Sahara), France

187. Rødt (The political party Red), Norway

188. Rode Morgen (Red Morning), The Netherlands

189. Por un referéndum de autodeterminación del Sáhara Occidental, Spain

190. A Ecolojovem - Os Verdes, Portugal

191. Puente Humano (Human Bridge), Spain

192. Organisation française pour la solidarité avec le peuple sahraoui (French Organization for Solidarity with the Saharawi people), France

193. Juventud Comunista de Espa�a (marxista-leninista) (Communist Youth of Spain - Marxist-Leninist), Spain

194. Asociación de Amigos del Pueblo Saharahui de Tres Cantos (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People of Tres Cantos), Spain

195. Asociación Soriana de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui (Saharawi's people friends Asociation.Soria), Spain

196. Asociación Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui del Campo de Gibraltar "Solidaridad" (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People of Campo de Gibraltar "Solidaridad"), Spain

197. BastA!, Basels starke Alternative (Bast!A, Basel's Strong Alternative), Switzerland

198. El Grupo Jaima de Córdoba, Spain

199. Africa Action, United States

200. Ateneo Republicano de Málaga, Spain

201. Comunicadores por la Paz (Communicators for Peace), Spain

202. CLSPS - Comité Limousin de Solidarité avec le Peuple Sahraoui (Solidarity Committee for the Saharawi People of Limoges), France

203. Asociación "Alcorcón por el Pueblo Saharaui" ("Alcorcón for Saharawi People"), Spain

204. Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre, Australia

205. Arrasateko Sahararen Lagunen Elkartea Nubi, Pais Vasco/ Spain

206. Asociaci�n de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Cieza (People of the Sahara's friends from Cieza Association), Spain

207. YALAH - Solidaris amb el Poble Sahrauí, Spain

208. Iniciativas de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo - ICID ( Initiatives of International Development Cooperation), Spain

209. SAHANDREU - Sant Andreu Solidari amb el Poble Sahrauí, Spain

210. Aula de Solidaridad de la Universidad de la Laguna, Spain

211. Anti-Racist Front, Portugal

212. Casal La Gallineta from Mollet del Vallès (Catalunya), Spain

213. CSDDHSSO - Commission Sahraoui de Defenseurs des Droits humains de Smara, Sahara Occidental, Western Sahara

214. Asociacion de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Avila (Avila Friends of the Saharawui People Asociation), Spain

215. AASTP - Amics del Sahara de les Terres de Ponent (Friends of the Sahara from Terres de Ponent), Spain

216. Asociación de Ayuda al Pueblo Saharaui "Nuyum" (Association of help to the Saharawi people "Nuyum"), Spain 

217. Initiative Eine Welt e.V. (Initiative One World), Germany

218. STIENC - Sindicato dos Trabalhadores das Industrias El�ctricas do Norte (Northern Trade Union of Electrical Industry Workers), Portugal

219. INAMO e.V. - Informationsprojekt Naher und Mittlerer Osten e.V. (Project Information about Near and Middle East), Germany

220. Senterungdommen (Centre Party Youth), Norway

221. Asociación 'Dah Sid Ahmed' de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de Getafe (Dah Sid Ahmed, Association of Friends of the Saharawi People, Getafe), Spain

222. Seixal Peace Comission of Portuguese Council for Peace and Co-operation, Portugal

223. Norsk Målungdom (Norwegian Language Youth), Norway

224. Le Comité Syndical Saharaoui, Western Sahara

225. CODAPSO - Comite de Défense de l'Autodétermination du Peuple du Sahara Occidental (Committee for the Defense of Self-determination of the Saharawi People), Western Sahara

226. RESISTIR Info, Portugal

227. District Trades Council in Ytre Sogn (the local organization of Norwegian Federation of Trade Unions), Norway

228. MURPI - Movimento Unitário Reformados Pensionistas Idosos, Portugal

229. Zentrum für Europäische und Orientalische Kultur e.V. (Centre for European and Oriental Culture), Germany

230. DROP - Do Remember Other People, Norway

231. SAFUGE, Save the Future Generation, Norway/Sierra Leone

232. The Tree of Hope, Thailand

233. Centro de la Cultura Popular Canaria (Cultural Centre Canary Islands), Spain

234. Coordinadora de Pueblos y Barrios (Coordination of Peoples and Neighbourhoods), Spain

235. Unión Ciudadana (Citizen Union), Spain

236. Radio San Borondón, Spain

237. ACEP - Associação para a Cooperação Entre os Povos (Association for Cooperation Between People), Portugal

238. STRUP - Sindicato dos Trabalhadores de Transportes Rodovários e Urbanos de Portugal (Portuguese Trade Union of Roads and Urban Transport Workers) [The Aveiro and Leiria branches of STRUP have also signed independently], Portugal

239. "El Laberinto Rojo" ("The Red Labyrinth"), Spain

240. Associazione "Bambini + Diritti", Italy

241. Ayuntamiento de Telde, Las Palmas (Telde City Council, Las Palmas), Spain

242. Associazione Culturale e Solidale Crescere Insieme, Italy

243. União dos Sindicatos do Porto (Porto Trade Unions' Union), Portugal

244. Consejo Español en Defensa de la Solidaridad y la Paz CEDESPAZ (Spanish Council in Defense of Solidarity and Peace), Spain

245. Sindicato dos Trabalhadores de Indústria de Hotelaria, Turismo, Restaurantes e Similares do Norte (Northern Trade Union of Workers in Hotels, Tourism, Restaurants and other), Portugal

246. Sindicato dos Trabalhadores Pesca do Norte (Northern Trade Union of Fisheries Workers), Portugal

247. Saheb Associazione Culturale e Solidale, Italy

248. TEPS - Terres de l'Ebre amb el Poble Saharauí Catalunya, Spain

249. Rød Ungdom (Red Youth), Norway

250. IDEAS - Iniciativas de Economía Alternativa y Solidaria (Initiatives of Alternative Economy and Solidarity), Spain

251. Asociación Pro Niños Saharauis (Pro Saharaui Children Association), Spain

252. FESAHT - Federação dos Sindicatos de Agricultura, Alimentação, Hoteleria e Turismo de Portugal, Portugal

253. Asociacion la Jaima solidaridad con el pueblo saharauis, Spain

254. Arbeidernes Ungdomsfylking (AUF) (Norwegian Labour Youth), Norway

255. ASOVESSA - Asociación Venezolana de Solidaridad con el Sahara (Venezuelan Association for Solidarity with the Sahara), Venezuela

256. Asociación para Conocer y Proteger la Naturaleza Munigua (Association to Know and to Protect the Nature Munigua), Spain

257. Centerstudenter, Sweden

258. Studentenes og Akademikernes Internasjonale Hjelpefond (SAIH, Students' and Academics' International Assistance Fund), Norway

259. Asociación hispano-saharaui Resistencia Sumud (Association Spain - Saharawi Resistance Sumud), Spain

260. Asociación Villena con el Pueblo Saharaui Desierto La Hamada (Villena Association for the Saharawi People, Hamada Desert), Spain

261. Soldepaz Pachakuti, Spain

262. AMPUSASA - Asociación de Amigos del pueblo Saharaui de Salamanca (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People, Salamanca), Spain

263. Associazione di Solidarieta con il Popolo Saharawi "Kalama" (Association in solidarity with the Saharawi People "Kalama"), Italy

264. Kristna Studentrörelsen i Sverige (Student Christian Movement in Sweden), Sweden

265. Asociación Dajla, Solidarios con el Pueblo Saharaui (Association Dajla, Solidary with the Saharawi People), Spain

266. Asociación Riojana de Amig@s de la RASD (Association La Rioja of Friends of the RASD), Spain

267. Brödet & Fiskarna (The Bread and Fishes Foundation), Sweden

268. Asociación Cultural S.A.X. (Somos Anti Xenofobia) (Cultural Association "We are Against Xenophobia), Spain

269. CIDAC - Centro de Informação e Documentação Amílcar Cabral (Information and Documentation Centre Amílcar Cabral), Portugal

270. CAC 38 - Collectif pour une Alternative Citoyenne 38 (Collectif for an Alternative Citizenship), France

271. "Vue d'ailleurs" ("Seen elsewhere"), France

272. DU.SO - Dulces Sonrisas sin fronteras (Sweet Smiles without Borders), Spain

273. Centro de Estudios Imazighen de Canarias - Tamusni (Center of Imazighen Studies - Canary Islands - Tamusni), Spain

274. Children of Mexico, The Netherlands

275. Area Paz y Antiglobalización de Ben Magec, Ecologistas en Acción (Peace and Antiglobalization Area, Ben Magec, Ecologistas en Acción), Spain

276. Club Atletismo Mahit, Spain

277. Asociación Solidaridad Jarrera con el Pueblo Saharaui, Spain

278. Kvinnor för fred (Women for peace), Sweden

279. The International Club of Mt. Holyoke College, United States of America

280. Advocacy Project, Chapter at Mt. Holyoke College, United States of America

281. UB Sahrawi, Spain

282. ECOTERRA Intl., Germany

283. SINQUIFA - Trade Union of the workers of chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas of center, south and islands -Portugal

284. Echo Echanges, France/Japan

285. ACSPS - Asociación Canaria de Solidaridad con el Pueblo Saharaui (Asociation of Solidarity with the Saharawi People), Spain

286. Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya (IDHC) (Institute of Human Rights, Catalunya), Spain

287. Associacio Catalana de Juristas Democrates (ACJD) (Catalan Association of Democratic Jurists), Spain

288. Aktionsgemeinschaft Solidarische Welt e.V. (ASW), Africa Desk (Action for World Solidarity, Africa Desk), Germany

289. Snail Aid - Technology for Development, Italy

290. Kristna Fredsrörelsen (KrF) (Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation - SweFOR), Sweden

291. Solidaridad Vedruna - SOLIVE (Solidarity Vedruna), Spain

292. "Heart the Kids", Wellesley College Boston, United States of America

293. Izquierda Unida Canarias (United Left, Canary Islands), Spain

294. Muixeranga de la Safor, Spain

295. ASPA - Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz (Andalusian Association for the Solidarity and the Peace), Spain

296. Comité pour un Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste de Roussillon (38), (New Anticapitalism Party comities of Roussillon), France

297. Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz (ASPA) (Andalusian Association for the Solidarity and the Peace), Spain

298. Asociación Socio-Cultural Asamblea de Mujeres de Ermua, Spain

299. Asociación Canaria de Amistad con el Pueblo Saharaui (ACAPS), Spain

300. Afrikagrupperna (Africa Groups), Sweden 

301. Asociación "Amanecer en el Sáhara", Spain

302. Federación Provincial de Huelva de Asociaciones Solidarias con el Sáhara, Spain

303. Kristelig Folkepartis Ungdom (Norwegian Christian Democrat Youth), Norway

304. Comité Portugués de Solidariedade com o Sara Ocidental (Portuguese Support Committee for Western Sahara), Portugal

305. Federación Estatal de Instituciones Solidarias con el Pueblo Saharaui (FEDISSAH), Spain

306. Red Tercera Vía (Third Way Network), Spain

307. Asociación Navarra Amigos del Sahara (A.N.A.S), Spain

308. PdCI (Party of Italian Communists), Italy

309. Jaleo Radioacción Colectiva, Spain

310. Survie, France

311. Círculo Solidario Euskadi, Spain

312. "Ateneo Cultural 14 de Abril", Spain

313. Coordinadora "27 de Febrero" Euskadi-Sahara (Coordination "27 February" Basq Country-Sahara), Spain

314. Asociación Navarra de Amigos y Amigas de la RASD (ANARASD) (Association of Friends of the RASD), Spain

315. A.S.F - L'Assossiation des Saharaoui en France (Association of Saharawi in France), France

316. Alternativa Sí se puede por Tenerife, Spain

317. STEC-STAC - Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Enseñanza de Cantabria y Sindicato de Trabajadores Asamblearios de Cantabria (Education Workers Trade Union of Cantabria and Assembly Workers Trade Union of Cantabria), Spain

318. Acercándonos (Aproaching us), Spain

319. Asociación Canaria de Enseñantes por la Paz y la Solidaridad, Spain

320. Red Canaria de Escuelas Solidarias, Spain

321. Kommittén för Västsaharas Kvinnor (Committee for Western sahara Women), Sweden 

322. Association Tracto'Dak, France

323. Asociación Cultural Poetico Teatro, Spain

324. Associació Comarcal d’Ajuda al Poble Sahrauí, ACAPS "la Safor", Spain

325. SERSO - Servicio de Solidaridad de Euskalherria, Spain

326. Col·lectiu local del Bloc Nacionalista Valencià de Gandia (la Safor) (Collective of local Valencian Nationalist Bloc Gandia (la Safor), Spain

327. USAM - (União dos Sindicatos da Região Autónoma da Madeira), Portugal

328. Praktisk Solidaritet, Sweden

329. Federació d'associacions de Solidaritat amb el Poble Saharaui del País Valencia, Spain

330. "Valencia-Dakar", Spain

331. Menschen und Toleranz (MuT) (Men and Tolerance), Germany

332. "associazione culturale giovanile Scianus", Italy

333. Regüelta (Riot), Spain

334. Partit Comunista del Poble de Catalunya (Communist Party of the People of Catalunya), Spain

335. Coordinadora Safor Valldigna pel Valencià, Spain

336. Grup de Treball Xucurruc, Spain

337. MRP Escola d'Estiu Marina Safor, Spain

338. ONG Mestres que fan escola, Spain

339. Sindicato de Periodistas de Andalucía (Trade Union of Journalists of Andalucia), Spain

340. Vereinigung Schweiz-Cuba/Asociacion Suiza-Cuba/Association Suisse-Cuba/Associazione Svizzera-Cuba (Association Switzerland-Cuba), Switzerland

341. Asociacion de hermanamiento con el pueblo saharaui de Alzira (Twin Town with the village Saharaui of Alzira), Spain

342. Ajuntament Santa Margalida (Municipality of Santa Margalida), Spain

343. Asociacion Contamos Todos (Association We All Count), Spain

344. Asociación Juvenil de Cañada Rosal (Sevilla) "Plataforma Joven" (Youth platform of Cañada Rosal, Sevilla), Spain

345. SJJA - Sahara Japan Journalist Association, Japan

346. Associazione di Solidarietá con il Popolo Saharawi "KABARA LAGDAF" (Association of Solidarity with the Saharawi People "KABARA LAGDAF"), Italy

347. "Hangetsu", Spain

348. SSU - Sveriges Socialdemokratiska ungdomsförbund (Swedish Social Democratic Youth League), Sweden

349. Association for Sahrawis in Norway, Norway

350. Fotofeeling, Spain

351. ACAPS Wilaya Alt Penedès, Spain

352. Nätverk för ett nytt Irak, Sweden

353. Coruña Liberal, Spain

354. Federación UNEGA - Unión de Estudiantes de Galicia (Galician students United), Spain

355. Amnesty International group at the Red Cross Nordic United World College, Norway

356. Foro Liberal (Liberal Forum), Spain

357. Kansainvälinen solidaarisuussäätiö (International Solidarity Foundation ISF), Finland

358. Hilfe für saharawische Flüchtlingskinder e.V. (Welfare assoziation for Saharawi refugee children), Germany

359. Arbeiterwohlfahrt Kreisverband Nordhausen e.V. (Workerswelfare District Branch Nordhausen), Germany

360. Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands - Kreisverband Nordhausen (Socialdemocratic Party of Germany - District Branch Nordhausen), Germany

361. Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands - Ortsverein Bleicherode (Socialdemocratic Party of Germany - Local Branch Bleicherode), Germany

362. Asociación de Antiguas Alumnas del Centro de Promoción de la Mujer de Ermua-Bizkaia, Spain

363. Vindeiros, Asociación de Estudiantes de Historia, Arte y Geografía de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

364. HazteOir.org, Spain

365. La Rosa Blanca (The White Rose), Spain

366. Khaima - Comitato di Solidarietá con il Popolo Saharawi, Italy

367. Asociación Solidaridad Jarrera con el Pueblo Saharaui- La Rioja, Spain

368. Društvo Ženska Svetovalnica (Women's Counselling Service), Slovenia

369. Gewerkschaft Unia Nordwestschweiz, Switzerland

370. League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development, Germany

371. Gävle Afrikagrupp (Gävle Africa Group), Sweden

372. Fundación de Estudios y Cooperación con el Pueblo Saharaui (Foundation for Studies and Cooperation with the Saharawi People), Spain

373. Asociación Cultural de Mujeres para el Bienestar Social "Kassandra" - ACUMBISKA (Cultural Association of Women for Social Well-Being "Kassandra"), Spain

374. Collectiu de Literatura "Pep Sempere" (Collective of Literature "Pep Sempere"), Spain

375. Ateneu Cultural - Mutxamel (Cultural Athenaeum Mutxamel), Spain

376. Netzwerk gegen Konzernherrschaft und neoliberale Politik (Network against corporate rule and neoliberal policy), Germany

377. UNISON, United Kingdom

378. Neue PdA, Sektion Basel der Partei der Arbeit der Schweiz, Switzerland

379. Zenski forum Socialnih demokratov (Women's Forum of Social Democrats), Slovenia

380. ATEES Basilea - Asociación de trabajadores españoles emigrantes en Suiza (Association of Spanish Emigrant Workers in Switzerland), Switzerland

381. Travail et Culture (Work and Culture), France

382. Asociacion Pro Derechos Humanos de España (Association Pro Human Rights), Spain

383. Sindicato de Periodistas de Andalucía (SPA) (Trade Union of Journalists of Andalucia), Spain

384. Spire, Utviklingsfondets ungdom (Spire, The Norwegian Development Fund�s youth organization), Norway

385. Terre des femmes Stralsund, Germany

386. Frauenladen LiSa e.V., Germany

387. Asociación de Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui de las Islas Baleares (Association of Friends of the Saharawi People in Balearic Islands), Spain

388. Fadel Ismail Onlus, Italy

389. Ayuntamiento de Valverde de Mérida, Spain

390. Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (Catalonia's Left Republican Party), Spain

391. Amics del Poble Sahrauí de Xàtiva (Friends of the Saharawi People of Xàtiva), Spain

392. SCI branche belge francophone (Service Civil International) , Belgium

393. Akalla Socialdemokratiska Förening, Styrelsen (Akalla branch of the Swedish Social Democratic Party), Sweden

394. Movimento de Utentes dos Serviços Públicos (MUSP), Portugal

395. Colonia Libera Italiana di Basilea (Free Italian Colony of Basel), Switzerland

396. Tolosaldea sahararekin sahara bizi GKE ( Support Committee for Western Sahara of Tolosaldea-Basque country), Spain

397. Association Talhaxirivella, Spain

398. JungsozialistInnen Schweiz, (Socialist Youth of Switzerland), Switzerland 

399. Asociación Amal-Esperanza de solidaridad con el Pueblo Saharaui (Amal-Hope Association for Solidarity with Saharawi People), Spain

400. Enfants Réfugiés du Monde, Pays de la Loire (Refugiees Children in the World - Pays de la Loire), France

401. Mills Gorman Architects, Australia

402. Nätverket för ett fritt Västsahara (Network for a free Western Sahara), Sweden

403. Södertälje Afrikagrupp (Africa Group of Södertälje), Sweden

404. Comité pour un Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste de Vienne (38), (New Anticapitalism Party committee of Vienne (38)), France

405. Uníon do Povo Galego UPG (Galician People's Union UPG), Spain

406. Asociación Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui del Noroeste Región de Murcia, Spain

407. Izquierda Unida Moratalla, Spain

408. Comité pour un Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste de Givors (69), (New Anticapitalism Party committee of Givors), France

409. Grupo Jaima - Amigos de la RASD (Jaima Group, Friends of the RASD), Spain

410. Puchun Civil Union, Republic of Korea

411. Imagination for International Solidarity, Republic of Korea

412. Palestine Peace Solidarity, Republic of Korea

413. Kyungsan Chungdo city committee, Democratic Party, Republic of Korea

414. Ulsan Solidarity For Human Rights, Republic of Korea

415. Korea Federation for Environmental Movements (KFEM), Republic of Korea 

416. VIF - Vänsterns internationella forum (Left International Forum), Sweden

417. Terre des hommes Schweiz (terre des hommes Switzerland), Switzerland

418. Los Verdes en Fuengirola, Spain

419. ADS (Advanced Strategic Consulting), Spain

420. Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA), South Africa

421. Genova e il Tigullio con il Popolo Sahrawi (Genova and Tigullio with the Sahrawi People), Italy

422. Medicus Mundi Catalunya, Spain

423. IEPALA (Instituto de Estudios Políticos para América Latina y Africa), Spain

424. Fundação AMI, Portugal

425. Socialdemokratiska studentförbundet, (Swedish social democratic students� association), Sweden

426. South African Human Rights Commission, South Africa

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Post-Deadline Signatories

427. Parti Communiste français, section de Roussillon, France

428. Iniciativa per Catalunya Verd (left green party Catalunya), Spain

429. PCPE (Partido Comunista de los Pueblos de España) (Communist Party of Peoples of Spain), Spain

430. Estudios Sin Fronteras (Studies without Borders), Spain

431. CPCCRD (Confederação Portuguesa das Colectividades de Cultura, Recreio e Desporto), Portugal

432. Asociación de Vecinos "El Val", Spain

433. Ligue des droits de l’Homme (LDH), France

434. Norsk studentunion (National Union of Students in Norway), Norway

435. Miljöpartiet de Gröna (Green Party of Sweden), Sweden

436. Asociación Cultural "El Picuezo", Spain

437. "Akuete", Togo

438. Asociación ALOUDA (Amigos del Pueblo Saharaui del Altoaragón), Spain

439. Asociación Cultural "El Picuezo" de Molinos Teruel, Spain

440. Fundación Conciencia (Conscienceness Foundation), Spain

441. Asociación Juvenil Escuela Educar para la Paz (Youth Association School Educating for Peace), Spain


 

"Buying our resources means buying our pain, suffering and tears"

During the past week, Saharawi victims of severe human rights violations have taken to the streets of El-Aaiún, demanding more respect for their socio-economic rights. Protesters carried slogans calling attention to the ongoing plunder of Saharawi natural resources, perpetrated by Morocco and complicit foreign interests.

22 April 2011

Danish NGO calls for exclusion of Western Sahara from EU deals

The Danish organisation Afrika Kontakt demands that the Danish government do not support Morocco's occupation through the EU cooperation.

30 April 2009

WSRW comments on European Parliament report

Statement from Western Sahara Resource Watch, 24 March 2009.

24 March 2009