DILI, 13 march 2023 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste National Parliament’s Commission for support of Referendum of Self-determination in Western Sahara (CEARAS) recommends that the future parliament should continue the work of the commission to support the struggle of the Saharawi people for self-determination and independence.
“We recommend to the National Parliament to maintain this commission in the year 2023, to support the self-determination of Western Sahara. We also recommend to the National Parliament to continue providing budgets to support the MPs’ full and active participation in the meetings of European Coordination for Support and Solidarity with the Saharawi People (EUCOCO),” Vice President of the CEARAS, José Agustinho Somotxo read the recommendations at the House of Parliament.
The 46th European Conference of Support and Solidarity with the Saharawi People was held on december 2 and 3, 2022, in Berlin, Germany.
The President of CEARAS, Adérito Hugo, in his remarks at the 46th EUCOCO said that Timor-Leste’s support for the self-determination of Western Sahara is a consensus decision of all parliamentary benches.
Hugo calls for an acceleration of the decolonization process of Western Sahara under UN supervision, which would immediately allow the people of Western Sahara to freely decide their future through integration and autonomy, in accordance with the various UN resolutions.
He said that Timor-Leste expects all parties to fully cooperate with the UN Secretary-General and his special envoy, to honor their commitments to human rights, and to fulfill their obligations under international law to release without delay all political prisoners.
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514 grants independence to colonial countries and peoples under colonial rule, including Western Sahara.
In january 2022, the National Parliament created CEARAS to support the movement of the people of Western Sahara in their struggle for independence.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
