Doc. 9590

14 October 2002

Western Sahara

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mrs Zetterberg and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       Since the creation of the Council of Europe 1949, the universal defense of democracy and human rights has been its most important task. The Council has played a vital role in the promotion of democracy and respect for human rights.

2.       Among the basic rights is the right to self-determination of a country, as well as free and fair elections. The Council of Europe has in its Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Additional protocol No. 9, laid down the principles. Furthermore, all member states of the Council of Europe have ratified the UN Charter of Universal Human Rights.

3.       Western Sahara is often called the last colony in Africa. Where other African states achieved independence during the last century, Western Sahara has remained in the hands of a colonial power, Spain, and later on, from 1975 been occupied by Morocco. In 1991 the United Nations succeeded in having an approval of a peace and settlement plan from both Morocco and the Polisario Front, the liberation movement founded in 1967. The peace plan included a referendum for self-determination. A ceasefire was accepted by both parties. Since then the peace plan has been confirmed on several occasions, most importantly in Houston 1997. Dates when the referendum is to take place have been set up. The European states have agreed to the actions undertaken by the United Nations.

4.       In a letter signed 12 November 2001, from the Secretary General of the United Nations to the President of the Security Council, an account was given of the obstacles the special personal envoy of the Secretary General had encountered. The letter encouraged the Security Council to discuss the draft for a Framework Agreement and discuss any other proposal proposed by the parties, to achieve an agreement for a political solution, mutually accepted by both parties.

5.       The Parliamentary Assembly expresses its concern regarding the delayed implementation of the peace and settlement plan, agreed to by both parties, for Western Sahara.

6.       The Parliamentary Assembly notes with satisfaction that the Security Council has decided, under Resolution 1429, to extend its mission, MINURSO, in Western Sahara for six months to the end of January 2003. The Security Council also asked Mr James Baker, personal envoy of the UN Secretary General and a former US secretary of state, to find a new option that provides for self-determination.

7.       The third part-session of the Assembly in 2002 of the Council of Europe presented a report regarding the situation of the Maghreb women. The Assembly took important decisions for improving the conditions of the Maghreb women living as immigrants in Europe as well as in their countries of origin. The deplorable situation of the Western Saharan women living in refugee camps in Algeria or under occupation in Western Sahara was not mentioned in the report, but was given attention through an amendment to the report.

8.       The Assembly encourages its member states to support humanitarian actions for the refugees from Western Sahara living in refugee camps in Algeria.

9.       The Assembly urges its members to insist on the respect for human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara to be upheld.

10.       The Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers takes action to support the renewed effort by the UN to implement the peace plan, including a date for a referendum for self-determination.

Signed: 1

Zetterberg, Sweden, UEL

Bergqvist, Sweden, SOC

Billing, Sweden, EPP

Christodoulides, Cyprus, UEL

Einarsson, Sweden, UEL

Elo, Finland, SOC

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Laakso, Finland, UEL

Lekberg, Sweden, SOC

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

Neguta, Moldova, UEL

Söndergrad, Denmark, UEL

Torrado, Spain, SOC

von der Esch, Sweden, EPP

Yanez-Barnuevo, Spain, SOC

1 .       SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group