un manifeste exige du gouvernement le respect du droit inaliénable des Sahraouis à l’autodétermination
Madrid’s Call for Sahrawi Rights: A Manifesto for Self-Determination
Recently, a manifesto signed by around a thousand Spanish civil society organizations, political parties, and intellectual figures has made headlines in Madrid. The document calls for the Spanish government to reconsider its support for Morocco’s proposed "autonomy plan" for Western Sahara and to uphold the Sahrawi people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
The Essence of the Manifesto
Promoted by the NGO Mundubat, the manifesto urges Spain to unequivocally recognize the Sahrawi people’s right to determine their own future through a free and fair referendum overseen by the United Nations. It criticizes a recent reaffirmation from a government official regarding Spain’s shift in policy, which had traditionally favored neutrality. This new stance, according to the manifesto, stands in direct contradiction to international law and undermines the historical memory and democratic principles pertinent to a people long subjected to exile and occupation.
Criticism of Moroccan Proposals
The signatories assert that supporting Morocco’s plan equates to legitimizing an occupation characterized by repression, forced exile, resource exploitation, and systemic human rights violations. They express concern over attempts to eliminate the Sahrawi people from international diplomatic recognition, thereby demanding Spain to withdraw its political support for Moroccan autonomy proposals that violate international norms and deny the Sahrawi people their right to self-determination.
Calls for Policy Change
They call for a shift in Spanish foreign policy that aligns with international law, emphasizing that it should not prioritize economic, migratory, or strategic interests over fundamental principles. The manifesto is backed by various parties, including Podemos, Comuns, EH Bildu, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), Izquierda Unida (IU), and the Spanish Communist Party (PCE), all advocating for a stronger mandate for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
Human Rights Protections
One of the key demands is the introduction of a mechanism to protect human rights within occupied territories, as well as rigorous adherence to the rulings of the European Court of Justice (CJEU). These rulings explicitly state that Western Sahara cannot be included in trade agreements between the EU and Morocco without the Sahrawi people’s consent.
Notable signatories of the manifesto, which includes Spanish Members of Parliament like Irene Montero and Isabel Serra Sanchez, alongside others, advocate for reinforcing public policies that support the Sahrawi refugee population. They stress the importance of ensuring stable resources and recognizing the Front Polisario as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people.
A Call for Justice
The manifesto emphasizes that the Sahrawi people have awaited justice for nearly half a century. It argues that a democratic resolution for Western Sahara would not only serve the Sahrawi but would also contribute significantly to international peace.
In summary, this growing movement in Spain represents a staunch opposition to the Moroccan autonomy plan and a reaffirmation of support for Sahrawi self-determination. The implications of these demands could have profound effects on Spain’s foreign policy and its historical ties with Western Sahara. As the situation unfolds, the manifesto serves as a rallying cry for those who advocate for human rights and justice for the Sahrawi people.
