Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) is an incorporated non-profit Association which was set up to raise awareness and promote the Saharawi cause in Australia, and to campaign for a free and fair referendum on self-determination for the Saharawi people.
The independence struggle in Western Sahara mirrors almost exactly that
of the East Timorese. In 1975 when the colonial power Spain withdrew, the neighbouring country, Morocco, invaded. A war ensued until a UN sponsored ceasefire was declared in 1991 when a referendum was promised.
Despite UN pressure Morocco refuses to agree to a referendum.
July 27th, 2010
Australia Western Sahara Association has updated its detailed critique on the documentary Stolen to reflect the recent publicity and commentary on the film. This updated edition is now published as the 3rd edition.
Download the critique 3rd edition June 2010 >>
Posted in Political issues, 'Stolen' documentary | Comments Off
July 26th, 2010
A lecture delivered by Professor Stephen Zunes during an event that took place on 7 July 2010 as part of the Fringe Program of The International Peace Research Association (IPRA) conference 2010 which was held in Sydney (Australia) on 6-10 July 2010.
The event was under the title: “Self-determination, 50 years on: Conflict Resolution in the Struggle for Self-Determination” The theme for the event was the issue of self-determination with Western Sahara as an example of where peace perspectives are urgently needed.
Professor Stephen Zunes is Professor of Politics & International Studies and Chair of Middle Eastern Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.
Full-text of Professor Stephen Zunes lecture >>
Posted in Political issues, Human Rights | Comments Off
July 25th, 2010
13 July 2010
Press Release
The Embassy of the Saharawi Republic to the United Republic of Tanzania welcomes the decision by Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), to remove the so-called “Stolen” film from the program of its 13th Festival which is taking place in Zanzibar on 10-18 July 2010.
ZIFF’s Board decided not to screen “Stolen” during the Festival after close and thorough consideration of all the information and representations made by the Saharawis affected by the film including the family of Fetim Sellami a key figure in the film.
Press Release >>
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July 25th, 2010
By David Cronin, the Brussels correspondent of Inter Press Service news agency
The theft of fish from Western Saharan waters should be damned by the European commission, not encouraged…..(continued)
Read report >>
Posted in Political issues, Fisheries exploitation | Comments Off
July 25th, 2010
Condolence messages were sent from Australian parliamentarians and from the President of Australia Western Sahara Association on the passing of Mr Mahfoud Ali Beiba, President of the Saharawi Parliament.
Letters were sent by:
Janelle Saffin MP, Federal Member for Page
on behalf of the Parliamentary Friends of Western Sahara (Saharawi People)
Read letter >>
Maria Vamvakinou, MP
Federal Member for Calwell
Read letter >>
Lyn Allison
President
Australia Western Sahara Association
Read letter >>
Posted in Political issues, General | Comments Off
July 10th, 2010
Authors: Hanga Sántha Swedish Section of the International Commission of Jurists; Ylva Lennartsson Hartmann Swedish Section of the International Commission of Jurists; Mark Klamberg Stockholm University - Faculty of Law
May 24, 2010
The authors of this report argue that the violations against the Saharawis by Morocco may constitute crimes against humanity. Moreover they suggest that the international community should act as soon as possible to end Moroccan impunity and to make greater efforts for a just and lasting solution of the question of Western Sahara.
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1614745
Posted in Political issues, Human Rights | Comments Off
July 10th, 2010
Press release, Western Sahara Resource Watch
7. July 2010
32 parliamentarians from Finland, Sweden and Denmark today requested the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of their countries to prevent renewed EU fisheries in occupied Western Sahara.
Read more >>
Posted in Political issues, Fisheries exploitation | Comments Off
June 27th, 2010
Sydney Customs House, Circular Quay
MFPA, CPACS (University of Sydney) and the Sydney Peace Foundation present: “Conflict Resolution in the Struggle for Self-Determination” – Western Sahara and Tamil (LTTE) Case Studies.
Workshop led by Prof. Johan Galtung, & Prof. Stephen Zunes
Intro Prof. Stuart Rees.
Venue: Barnet Long Room, Customs House Circular Quay Sydney
Time: 1800 -2000
Fee $30 includes refreshments All welcome.
More information and bookings at http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/peace_conflict/news/ipra2010.shtml Note: go to page for full conference booking. Here you can select to book for this single event at Customs House.
Posted in Political issues, Human Rights, General | Comments Off
June 27th, 2010
guardian.co.uk , Thursday 13 May 2010
Stefan Simonawitz
The world’s most remote film festival takes place in a refugee camp deep in the Algerian desert
Report: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/may/13/desert-film-festival
Posted in Political issues, General | Comments Off
June 27th, 2010
The Lancet, Volume 375, Issue 9732, Pages 2135 - 2136, 19 June 2010
Stefan Simonowitz (Free Sahara Network) reports on health care in the Saharawi refugee camps in south west Algeria
Read his report >>
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