News
11 Sahrawis were injured as the police stopped a demonstration in El Aaiun June 14th. Four families got their houses ransacked. See the pictures here.
Published 17 June 07
Senia Abderahman, former student at the United World Colleges in Fjaler, Norway, recounts the story of her grandmother.
Published 15 June 07
Following pressure from the UN and pro-Sahrawi activists, most serious oil companies pulled out of Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara. But now, a new group of fortune hunters is eying great financial opportunities in the probably oil-rich territory, ignoring international law. Investors from Ireland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the US and Sweden hide behind a jungle of interwoven small companies.
Published 10 June 07
The American oil company Kosmos Energy writes in a recent presentation that they plan to drill for oil on behalf of the Moroccan government in the occupied areas in 2009. According to the UN, that would be illegal.
Published 04 June 07
Political parties from the far right to the far left come together to support Sahrawi students after attacks from Moroccan police.
Published 30 May 07
The last two weeks, Sahrawi students at colleges and universities across Morocco and Western Sahara have been subjected to serious human rights violations. Today, 43 Norwegian organisations signed a letter to the Moroccan government, demanding that the attacks on Sahrawi students are stopped, and that their rights are respected.
Published 23 May 07
- Diplomatic activities between Morocco and Israel have been on a high gear lately, despite the fact that Rabat broke its ties with Jerusalem six years ago. Sahrawi sources claim to have proof Morocco is offering the resumption of full diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for a strong Israeli lobbying in favour of Rabat's Western Sahara policies.
Published 18 May 07
Europapress: NGOs supporting Western Sahara accuse the firm FMC Foret of plundering 500.000 tonnes of phosphates yearly.
Published 18 May 07
See the latest photos of the Sahrawi student, Sultana Khaya, here.
Published 18 May 07
Read the shocking testimony of the Sahrawi student, Sultana Khaya Sidi Brahim, who lost her eye from the police beatings last week.
Published 15 May 07
More than 30 Sahrawi students have been beaten by Moroccan police over the last week.
Published 13 May 07
The exiled government of Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara for the first time eyes hope of recognition by European states as several political parties are taking this into their programmes. Western Sahara has been occupied by Morocco since 1975 but is a full-fledged member of the African Union (AU).
Published 03 May 07
The UN Security Council Monday adopted a resolution that asks Morocco and Polisario to enter into direct talks. Since the parties have already stated that they are willing to give negitiations a new, chance, we now see a new development in the story about the last colony on the African continent.
Published 02 May 07
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.
Published 22 April 07
The Sahrawi youngster El Ouali Amidane was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for having participated in a demonstration last October.
Published 19 April 07
Elkouria Amidane (22) studies English at the Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech. Against the backdrop of one of Morocco's livelier tourist destinations, her younger brother's fate is to be decided today. She now pleads for Norwegian help to put pressure on Moroccan authorities so that he is not punished severely.
Published 17 April 07
One of the companies of shipowner Kristian Eidesvik is a large investor in disputed Western Sahara. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against such practice. "Theft of our resources", says activist Aminatou Haidar. Bergens Tidende daily, March 10, 2007.
Published 10 April 07
- A good opportunity to discuss the violations in occupied Western Sahara, says the Support Committee.
Published 04 April 07
During his five day long official visit to Morocco, the president of the Norwegian parliament, Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland, will raise the human rights situation in Western Sahara with the Moroccan authorities. Jagland will exert pressure on the Moroccan authorities to allow a Nordic delegation into the occupied area, and he believes the controversial Royal Council for Saharan affairs is to be considered a part of Morocco's occupation policy. Read article in Verdensmagasinet X.
Published 03 April 07
Aminatou Haidar has been imprisoned and tortured because of her struggle for Africa's last colony. She now appeals for Norwegian recognition of Western Sahara as an independent state. Vårt Land (Oslo, Norway) March 9th 2007.
Published 15 March 07