B3-0699, 0711 and 0746/93

Resolution on the fate of the 'disappeared' Saharans in Morocco and the Western Sahara

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the Amnesty International report of 14 April 1993 on the continued use of 'disappearance' and secret detention by Morocco,

B.deploring the obstruction by the Moroccan authorities when this report was being drawn up,

C.whereas the Moroccan authorities have been using the practice of 'disappearance' since the 1960s, and are still employing it despite certain favourable changes,

D.whereas more than 1000 Saharans have 'disappeared' over the last 15 years, and the number of Saharans still in secret detention is, according to Amnesty International estimates, approximately 500,

E.concerned at the fact that in many cases these persons have been considered as having 'disappeared' for over ten years, while numerous other persons held in secret prisons have died between 1976 and 1990 without their relatives ever being informed,

F.recalling the declaration of the Lisbon European Council of 26 and 27 June 1992 on relations between the Community and the Maghreb countries, with its stress on respect for human rights and democratic principles,

1.Condemns the use of arbitrary arrest, the practice of 'disappearances', torture and incommunicado imprisonment and all other forms of violation of human rights;

2.Calls on the Moroccan government to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all the Saharans currently imprisoned in Morocco and the Western Sahara, and to lift the veil of silence surrounding the fate of hundreds of 'disappeared' Saharans;

3.Calls on the Community authorities and the governments of the Member States to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the Saharan people;

4.Reiterates its request that the Moroccan Government authorize visits by international observers, humanitarian organizations and human rights organizations to the occupied territories in Western Sahara;

5.Reiterates its request that European Political Cooperation urge Morocco to respect human rights and the relevant international agreements, especially the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions;

6.Repeats its call for Morocco to release all those imprisoned for political or trade union activities;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, European Political Cooperation, the governments of the Member States, the UN Secretary-General, the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front.