In 2016, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. But despite the time that has passed, the Sahrawi people are still separated by a 3km-long wall, surrounded by landmines. The Sahrawi people still suffer occupation, mistreat, and Human Rights violations by Morocco\u2019s occupying forces. \u00a0
During the 9th International Meeting of the World March of Women, we started a political discussion regarding an international day in support of Sahrawi women. This debate concluded with the decision made by the International Committee that, on February 18th of every year, we will show our solidarity in support of our sisters\u2019 struggle in Western Sahara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, we think of Chaiaa, a pregnant nurse who was killed in 1976 at the Umdreiga refugee camp in a cruel bombing by Morocco\u2019s occupying forces while assisting wounded people trying to flee the brutal occupation of their lands. Today, from Asia to the Americas, by way of Africa and Europe, we raise our voices to stand in solidarity with Sahrawi women and their daily struggle for freedom and self-determination in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, in the refugee camps and in the Diaspora. We are with you, sisters!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The World March of Women demands that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 All nations make a strong commitment to defending the Sahrawi cause and recognize the Sahrawi people\u2019s right to self-determination and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
\u2022 A referendum on the future of the occupied territory of Western Sahara be held as soon as possible, in accordance with the agreements signed in 1991 (United Nations Security Council Resolution 690).
\u2022 The Moroccan government release all Sahrawi political prisoners, stop the looting of Western Sahara\u2019s natural resources and actualize the Sahrawi people\u2019s right to self-determination.
\u2022 The African Union play an active and proactive role, in conjunction with the United Nations, to put an immediate end to the occupation and to the persistent Human Rights violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sisters, we will be on the march until all women are free!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In 2016, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. 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The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), better known as Western Sahara, is a region in Northwest Africa bordered by Algeria to the East, Mauritania to the South, Morocco to the North, and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. 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