B3-0167, 0193, 0195 and 0203/94

Resolution on human rights violations in Morocco and Western Sahara

The European Parliament,

A.recalling its previous resolutions on the situation in Morocco and Western Sahara, especially its resolution of 27 May 1993 on the fate of the 'disappeared' Saharans in Morocco and the Western Sahara,

B.pointing out that Morocco has ratified the international conventions on human rights and against torture,

C.having been informed of the report by Amnesty International on 10 December 1993, according to which - despite some progress - prisoners of conscience are still being held in jail and members of the opposition are still 'disappearing' in secret detention centres in Morocco,

D.concerned that the practices of 'disappearance' and harsh torture are used in particular against some 500 Saharans, some of whom have 'disappeared' during 16 years of secret imprisonment,

E.concerned at the continued refusal of the Moroccan authorities to authorize visits to Saharan prisoners or even to provide information on their fate,

F.concerned by the continuing attempts by the Moroccan Government to prevent the implementation of the United Nations peace process in Western Sahara,

1.Condemns the continuation of arbitrary arrests without defence guarantees and the practices of 'disappearance' and torture used in Morocco and Western Sahara;

2.Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Moroccan and Saharan political prisoners and requests detailed information on the fate of the 500 Saharans who, according to Amnesty International estimates, have 'disappeared';

3.Calls on the Moroccan Government to respect the international conventions it has signed by ending political imprisonment, illegal detention and torture, to allow the 310 people freed in June 1991 to exercise fully their right to freedom of movement and to provide the families of the 58 Saharans who have died in Moroccan prisons with official death certificates;

4.Calls on the Moroccan authorities to lift the state of siege in the territory of Western Sahara and to guarantee access for independent observers so that they can seek information on the situation without hindrance;

5.Calls on the United Nations to ensure that the peace plan is implemented in accordance with the commitments entered into, including the organization of a fair and free referendum in Western Sahara;

6.Calls on the authorities of the Union and the governments of the Member States to do everything they can in their political, economic and trade relations with Morocco to compel the Moroccan Government to end the system of 'disappearances' and implement the United Nations peace plan in Western Sahara;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the United Nations Secretary-General, the President-in-Office of the OAU, the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front.