The Geneva Support Group, a coalition advocating for the Sahrawi people under the UN Human Rights Council, has raised serious concerns about the enduring Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara. They assert that this occupation not only deprives the Sahrawi people of their right to self-determination but also represents a blatant breach of international law and human rights standards.
During a recent session, the Group articulated its stance, noting that since 1975, Western Sahara has remained under Moroccan control, despite numerous United Nations General Assembly appeals since 1965 to end colonialism in the area. They stressed the fundamental nature of self-determination, declaring it essential for the existence of other human rights and labelling its denial as a severe infringement of international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, the Group highlighted a disturbing trend concerning the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which for the ninth year in a row, has been denied access to the occupied territories of Western Sahara. This denial persists despite consistent official requests and the Security Council’s calls, as outlined in Resolution 2703 (2023), urging for facilitated visits and enhanced cooperation with international human rights mechanisms.
The Geneva Support Group for Western Sahara has condemned the Moroccan occupation, citing it as a severe violation of international law. They highlighted the sustained denial of the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination since 1975 and called for increased UN monitoring of human rights in the region, as the OHCHR has been barred from access for nine years, despite international requests for intervention.
The Geneva Support Group’s condemnation of the Moroccan siege on the Sahrawi people underscores the urgent need for increased international attention and intervention. Their call for the UN to enable monitoring of human rights is vital, as the ongoing occupation and suppression of self-determination continue to violate fundamental human rights and international laws. Without effective oversight, the plight of the Sahrawi people may persist unchallenged.
Original Source: al24news.com
