A resolution passed yesterday at the annual congress of European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) in Berlin, demands the recognition of the Saharawi Arabic Democratic Republic. The resolution was tabled by the Young Liberals of Norway. LYMEC has a quarter of a million members in 37 European states.
Press Release, 22 April 2007
Young Liberals of Norway
Europe's liberal youth parties unanimously back the demand that the European Union and all European states recognize the Western Sahara Republic (SADR) as an independent state.
“This is a clear political signal from a unified Liberal movement demanding that Western Sahara be put higher on the public agenda and that Europe take a leading role in liberating Africa's last colony”, says international officer of Young Liberals of Norway, Boye Bjerkholt.
The resolution tabled by the Young Liberals of Norway at the yearly congress of LYMEC (European Liberal Youth) in Berlin, also demands a halt to the trade in products from the occupied territories and that pressure is put on Morocco to respect human rights and to release all Sahrawi prisoners of conscience.
The Sahrawi republic is today recognized by 85 states, but so far no European country recognizes Western Sahara as an independent state.
“Now, liberals from all corners of the continent are taking the demand of recognition home to their respective capitals and will contribute to put this matter higher on the political agenda", says international officer of Young Liberals of Norway, Boye Bjerkholt.
“This is particularly important now, considering how the EU has turned a blind eye to the difficult situation in Western Sahara and renewed the illegal fisheries agreement with Morocco, giving EU fishing vessels access to occupied waters”, says Bjerkholt.
LYMEC has member organizations in 37 European countries, and a total of a quarter of a million members in 59 member organizations.
The resolution was adopted as follows:
Recognise Western Sahara
Whereas
Noting that
Considering that
LYMEC - European Liberal Youth calls upon the EU and all European states to
For further information, contact
Boye Bjerkholt, international officer, Young Liberals Norway.
Tel (+47) 93412869
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