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.
December 6th, 2011
‘Robbed of Truth’ - Australian Media Premiere
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19TH, 2011 - 1PM
Victorian College of the Arts
School of Film and TV - Federation Hall
234 St.Kilda Road, Melbourne
This screening has been endorsed by The Center for Ideas, University of Melbourne
“Robbed of Truth: The Western Sahara Conflict and the Ethics of Documentary Filmmaking” will be introduced by its director and producer Carlos González.
Flyer about event >>
Facebook page about event and film >>
Posted in Political issues, Human Rights, 'Stolen' documentary | Comments Off
December 2nd, 2011
NEW: Greeting cards for Christmas 2012 and beyond…..
Cards with high quality envelopes are $3 each or a dozen for $30 (postage and packing free) from AWSA, PO box 457, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084 or email awsa.victoria@gmail.com
Please make cheques or money orders payable to AWSA (Victoria).
DOWNLOAD FLYER WITH CARD SAMPLES >>
All designs plain inside
Posted in Political issues, General | Comments Off
November 21st, 2011
Malainin Lakhal
17 November 2011, Pambazuka news/allAfrica.com
The prisoners were taken from a group of more than 200 activists arrested by Moroccan authorities a year ago. And as Malainin Lakhal reports, Morocco has over 60 Saharawi prisoners of conscience, including eminent human rights defender Naama Asfari.
Twenty-four Saharawi human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience, who are to appear before a Moroccan court-martial, are on hunger strike since 31 October, after being one year imprisonment without appearing before a court.
Read article >>
Posted in Political issues, Human Rights | Comments Off
November 14th, 2011
In cerca di una soluzione: Campi profughi sarahawi: non può esserci futuro senza sicurezza.
by Sonia Rossetti
PhD Student (Faculty of International Politics, University of Queensland)
Read Sonia’s article (in Italian) >>
Posted in Political issues | Comments Off
November 11th, 2011
On 29 October 2011 The Hon John Dowd AO QC, President International Commission of Jurists, presented a paper at the 2nd International Conference, Peoples’ Right for Resistance: the Case of Sahrawi People, Dar Diaf – Bouchaoui, Algier.
Conference paper available at this link “The Western Sahara and the United Nations” >>
Posted in Political issues, Phosphate importation, General | Comments Off
November 8th, 2011
Western Sahara Resource Watch,
7 November 2011
Today, the European Parliament’s Development and Budget Committee both adopted an opinion calling on Parliament to reject the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement.
The Budget Committee deplored the heavy financial yoke of this particular agreement, consuming no less than 25% of the Union’s budget line for fisheries. Of all the EU’s ongoing bilateral agreements, the accord with Morocco is the least cost-efficient, placing the heaviest relative burden on EU tax payers.
Read more >>
Posted in Political issues, Fisheries exploitation | Comments Off
November 4th, 2011
Features
Fresh political storm for Western Sahara
Konstantina Isidoros
2011-10-27, Issue 554
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/77452
Why does Spain need Morocco to free the hostages in Western Sahara?
Malainin Lakhal
2011-10-27, Issue 554
http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features/77453
Sahrawi camps not ‘dangerous’; Visitor rejects Morocco’s claim
Sabrina Tucci
2011-10-27, Issue 554
http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features/77458
Posted in Political issues | Comments Off
November 4th, 2011
AWSA together with the Australian Unions for Western Sahara have asked both Tasmanian Customs and the shipping company Inchcape to check the way the country of origin of Allegra’s cargo is designated on the importation documents.
If it says “Morocco” this is not right and should be changed to “Western Sahara” where the phosphate comes from. If it says “Western Sahara”, then they must ask the importer to provide evidence that the Saharawi people consent to the sale of this phosphate which rightly belongs to them.
Story and video about Allegra unloading phosphate in Tasmania >>
Posted in Political issues, Phosphate importation | Comments Off
October 28th, 2011
24 October 2011
The Australia Western Sahara Association today condemned the terrorist
attack on the Saharawi refugee camps that resulted in international aid
workers being injured and kidnapped.
AWSA expresses its deepest sympathy for victims and their families and
solidarity with the Saharawi people.
Three European aid workers, two Spanish citizens and one an Italian, working in the Saharawi refugee camps, were kidnapped on Saturday night by terrorists.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Political issues, Human Rights | Comments Off
October 28th, 2011
Statement by Aminattou Haidar condemning the terrorist act against foreign sympathizers
23 October 2011
On Saturday night 22 October 2011 an unknown armed group has kidnapped three foreign solidarity workers who were in a humanitarian mission in the Saharawi refugee camps.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Political issues, Human Rights | Comments Off
