South African political powers call on the UN to protect human rights in Western Sahara

The political parties in power in South Africa, ANC, Communist party and COSATU, sent a joint letter to the Secretary General of the UN, demanding an international protection of human rights in Western Sahara.

The letter also signed by the Friends of Western Sahara-South African Chapter and Western Sahara Solidarity Forum, expressed concerns about the dangerous situation of human rights, especially that the UN mission is on the ground but not mandated to monitor human rights.

Here is the complete text of the letter of which we received a copy:
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Letter to Mr. Ban Ki Moon,
Secretary General of the United Nations

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations,

We, the undersigned, wish to present our compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and to express our deep concern on the deteriorating human rights situation in the Occupied Territories of Western Sahara. It is all the more alarming having regard of the United Nations Mission -MINURSO- presence in the region and since Western Sahara is recognized as a non-self governing territory by the United Nations. Our demand is that, this United Nations mission includes the human rights monitoring in this territory as part of its mandate.

The serious violations on the Saharawi citizens who, peacefully, demand the very same rights that are guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are well documented. Today, we learn that, indeed, the lives of these victims of political repression are in real danger. A peaceful resolution to this last decolonization case does not need more martyrs.

Mr. Secretary-General

We call on Your Excellency to ensure that the United Nations assume its responsibilities on the protection of the human rights of the Saharawi civilians in the Occupied Territories of Western Sahara. This is a necessary step to put an end to this shameful chapter in our history.

We also call for the unconditional release of all Saharawi political prisoners and detainees, many of them are currently on hunger strike languishing in Moroccan jails.

We take this opportunity, Mr. Secretary-General, to assure you of our highest consideration,

Signatories
1- African National Congress (ANC)
2- South African Communist Party (SACP)
3- Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
4- Friends of Western Sahara-South African Chapter.
5- Western Sahara Solidarity Forum.