Thousands rally in Spain to protest violence in Western Sahara

Sat, 13 Nov 2010

Madrid/Rabat, Morocco - Several thousand people protested in Madrid on Saturday, accusing the Moroccan government of human rights violations in the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara,

The demonstrators also criticized the Spanish government, saying that because of political and economic considerations, it sat back and did nothing about the violence.

The protesters included actor Javier Bardem, husband of Hollywood star Penelope Cruz, who called on the European Union and the United Nations to intervene over Western Sahara, which was annexed by Morocco 24 years ago.

Moroccan security forces on Monday raided a camp housing some 20,000 people demanding better living conditions near the Western Saharan capital Laayoune.

Clashes in the city itself followed. The Moroccan government has reported that 12 people died, including 10 police officers. Additionally, 163 people were allegedly arrested.

The Western Saharan independence movement Polisario spoke of at least 19 dead, more than 700 injured and more than 150 missing. It accused Moroccan security forces of torture and rape.

"How much horror is actually needed until the international community protects the Saharan people?" Bardem asked.

Politicians from various parties and the leaders of Spain's two largest unions also took part in the rally, which had been called by citizens' groups that support independence for the Western Sahara.

The Spanish government has criticized Morocco's actions, but did not officially condemn them. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero pointed to the importance of the political and economic relations with its southern neighbor.

Madrid has, however, requested "urgent" information from Morocco on the alleged killing of a Spanish citizen during the clashes. It also called on Rabat to stop hindering the work of foreign reporters.

Several Spanish journalists have in the past few days been deported or prevented from entering the West Sahara, which was annexed by Morocco in 1976, months after Spain abandoned the territory.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/353395,protest-violence-western-sahara.html.