Morocco / Western sahara - Will reforms solve the conflict? length: 11.30 format 16:9
man1 (french)
-Look, our shoes...
-We Western Saharans in this neighbourhood, we have no work, no rights
man2 (french)
-The authorities do not help us, they would rather see us die...
Unemployment is high and it does not take long until frustration makes itself seen here in the streets of Laayoune.
Outside the social welfare office, Western Sahara women wait for help. When Morocco occupied the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara in 1975, hundreds of thousands of Moroccans were settled in Western Sahara. Today, they constitute half the population of 260 000 and well paid jobs and development have mainly been reserved for them.
Community services are not the best in the areas of Laayoune where the Western Sahara people live.
"Our Sahara's goods are able to employ our compentences" it says on the band. On the street a few hundred Western Sahara university graduates are demonstrating.
"Ahmed" (english)
-Some of us have been graduated for 6 years, 5 years so quite long periods without jobs so here we are demonstrating and protesting.
The demonstration has been going on for a week.
"Ahmed" (english)
-Once you demand any rights any fundamental right, any humanitarian right, you are immediately arrested.
There is a great risk of beeing arrested. So "Ahmed" is reluctant to continue the interview.
"Ahmed" (english)
-My friends have told me just a few words and stop recording because the police may....
Western Sahara is a police state and the occupation costs huge sums for Morocco. The UN force MINURSO is here to monitor the cease-fire but has no mandate to observe breaches of human rights, Morocco has not allowed that. Human rights organisations claim that there are about one hundred political prisoners here.
The waves hit the shore outside Laayoune. Even though there is an occupation, the European Union has made an agreement with Morocco for fishing rights in Western Sahara waters. This is a clear violation of international law but brings Morocco 35 million euro annually. According to the agreement one third of the sum is to be spent for developing the local communities but this is not seriously undertaken.
The Moroccan authorities are reluctant to give permissions to journalists to visit Western Sahara. So most information come from unofficial sources, like this one. Independence activists use blogs and Facebook groups to spread information.
Ahmed Etlayi, activist for Western Sahara (spanish)
-Facebook is very important for us to publish for the European people what is happening here in Western Sahara. Many don't know what is going on here because of the information blockade.
Films and news are put up on the net but it is a dangerous work.
Ahmed Etlayi, activist for Western Sahara (spanish)
-For us who work underground, there are great dangers here in the occupied territory. Many of our friends in this media organisation have been jailed by the military tribunal here.
All here are waiting for the Arabian uprising to reach the Western Sahara. Recently Morocco promised reforms so it is expected that a more democratic Morocco might facilitate some of the demands from the Western Sahara movement.
One of the internationally better-known activists is Brahim Dahane, recently released after one and a half years in prison.
Brahim Dahane, Human rights activist, Western Sahara (spanish)
-The situation is all too clear for the majority of the Western Saharas. The only way to solve the problems here with Morocco is through democratic means.
The key to change lies in Morocco. The pressure for reforms comes from the 20th of February-movement, consisting mostly of ordinary youths but also members of different political parties.
The name is taken from the demonstrations which took place on the 20th of Febuary this year and signalled the start of changes in Morocco.
This evening in Marrakesh a meeting is beeing held to prepare for the coming demonstrations. Women are among the participants and there is a lively discussion about which demands should be raised.
Samira ElAlaoui, activist 20February movement (french)
-All Moroccans are discriminated against. All Moroccans lack basic rights so our demands are the same as the demands of all Moroccans.
"Free our political prisoners" is one message. In the 20th of February movement's stores, placards lean against the walls and megaphones stand on the shelves, all ready to once again take to the streets and demand change.
Abd ElMotalib, activist 20February movement (english)
-So this is one, a basic right, "Protesting is a legal right". We should have the right to protest, we should not be punished or be treated with violence just because we voice out our needs or our rights.
In addition to fighting for freedom and democracy, a free society without secret police and surveillance is one of the stronger demands.
Abd ElMotalib, activist 20February movement (english)
-As in revolutions in other countries, "Enough of police, enough of police, give us more schools"
The 20th of February movement has made tens of thousands of Moroccans take part in demonstrations. And they have so far been successful, the royal regime in March promised reforms.
A committee will propose a new constitution and a referendum is expected in September.
The royal dynasty has ruled Morocco since independence from France in 1956 and is the longest-standing regime in the Arab world. Through control of Moroccan business and industry, the royal family has enriched itself and now has a multi-billion fortune, while more than one-tenth of all Moroccans live on less than one euro a day.
Early in the morning in BabDoukkala-square, bikes are parked and men hang around, waiting for a job for the day. Unemployment is high despite a relatively high level of education and a large tourism sector. But the problem is widespread corruption and the unequal distribution of wealth.
Mostafa Sabbane, representative PSU, Partie Socialiste Unifie, Marrakesh (arabic)
-We are struggling to gain a fair constitution for the country, with a just social society so that all natural resources and wealth will be divided in an equitable manner among all Moroccan citizens in order that disparities between different groups are reduced.
Now different organisations and political parties can work more freely. But freedom of the press is still reduced, the royal family can not be criticized.
Mostafa Sabbane, representative PSU, Partie Socialiste Unifie, Marrakesh (arabic)
-We are proposing a parliamentary monarchy. The royal family can keep it's assets and he can be king but only as a symbol.
Cobras are dancing and snake charmers play as usual at the Djemaa alFnaa, the famous square in the middle of Marrakech. But all is not as usual, at the far end, the remains of the blown-out restaurant can be seen where seventeen people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in a bomb attack at the end of April. The police is guarding and ordinary Moroccans watch in dismay.
The authorities put the blame on a militant islamist group but without providing any clear proofs. The earlier bomb attacks in Casablanca in 2003 promted the enactment of new anti-terrorism laws in Morocco, which has a long history of opression.
The political elite controls the police and judiciary and tens of thousands were subjected to imprisonment, torture and extrajudicial deaths during the 70's and 80's. But for the last twenty years, a reconciliation process has emerged and since the reform process started this year, many political prisoners have been released. Human rights defenders see an improvement.
Mohammad ElGhalloussi, president HR organisation AMDH (arabic)
-We believe Morocco has entered a new period of democracy and respect for human rights but all those responsible for past crimes like false trials, torture... all these people have so far escaped justice. We want them to be brought to justice, to be responsible for their crimes. Everything has to be dealt with in an orderly manner.
The meeting of the 20th of February-movement turns lively and speakers argue. Today the movement is acting openly, they fear Morocco's security services much less now.
Yassir Charak, activist 20th February movement (english)
-We are not hiding anything right now. We are askimg for change and we are saying it so there is nothing to hide.
In the middle, a guy sits with a connected computer and all decisions are put up on the net. But the problem is that Morocco's poor hardly can afford computers.
Yassir Charak, activist 20th February movement (english)
-Our problem is that the people who are really suffering from the system doesn't exactly know where the problem is.
The question is, whether a democratic Morocco would agree to independence for Western Sahara. In June, talks will resume between the Polisario movement and Morocco but few Western Saharans think it will lead to any immediate improvement of the situation. Still, hopes of independence are kept alive.
Brahim Dahane, Human rights activist, Western Sahara (spanish)
-Finally, we will be (independent) and I do hope it will be soon, and without loosing more people by being forced to take up arms to get there.
man1 (french)
-Look, our shoes...
-We Western Saharans in this neighbourhood, we have no work, no rights
man2 (french)
-The authorities do not help us, they would rather see us die...
Unemployment is high and it does not take long until frustration makes itself seen here in the streets of Laayoune.
Outside the social welfare office, Western Sahara women wait for help. When Morocco occupied the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara in 1975, hundreds of thousands of Moroccans were settled in Western Sahara. Today, they constitute half the population of 260 000 and well paid jobs and development have mainly been reserved for them.
Community services are not the best in the areas of Laayoune where the Western Sahara people live.
"Our Sahara's goods are able to employ our compentences" it says on the band. On the street a few hundred Western Sahara university graduates are demonstrating.
"Ahmed" (english)
-Some of us have been graduated for 6 years, 5 years so quite long periods without jobs so here we are demonstrating and protesting.
The demonstration has been going on for a week.
"Ahmed" (english)
-Once you demand any rights any fundamental right, any humanitarian right, you are immediately arrested.
There is a great risk of beeing arrested. So "Ahmed" is reluctant to continue the interview.
"Ahmed" (english)
-My friends have told me just a few words and stop recording because the police may....
Western Sahara is a police state and the occupation costs huge sums for Morocco. The UN force MINURSO is here to monitor the cease-fire but has no mandate to observe breaches of human rights, Morocco has not allowed that. Human rights organisations claim that there are about one hundred political prisoners here.
The waves hit the shore outside Laayoune. Even though there is an occupation, the European Union has made an agreement with Morocco for fishing rights in Western Sahara waters. This is a clear violation of international law but brings Morocco 35 million euro annually. According to the agreement one third of the sum is to be spent for developing the local communities but this is not seriously undertaken.
The Moroccan authorities are reluctant to give permissions to journalists to visit Western Sahara. So most information come from unofficial sources, like this one. Independence activists use blogs and Facebook groups to spread information.
Ahmed Etlayi, activist for Western Sahara (spanish)
-Facebook is very important for us to publish for the European people what is happening here in Western Sahara. Many don't know what is going on here because of the information blockade.
Films and news are put up on the net but it is a dangerous work.
Ahmed Etlayi, activist for Western Sahara (spanish)
-For us who work underground, there are great dangers here in the occupied territory. Many of our friends in this media organisation have been jailed by the military tribunal here.
All here are waiting for the Arabian uprising to reach the Western Sahara. Recently Morocco promised reforms so it is expected that a more democratic Morocco might facilitate some of the demands from the Western Sahara movement.
One of the internationally better-known activists is Brahim Dahane, recently released after one and a half years in prison.
Brahim Dahane, Human rights activist, Western Sahara (spanish)
-The situation is all too clear for the majority of the Western Saharas. The only way to solve the problems here with Morocco is through democratic means.
The key to change lies in Morocco. The pressure for reforms comes from the 20th of February-movement, consisting mostly of ordinary youths but also members of different political parties.
The name is taken from the demonstrations which took place on the 20th of Febuary this year and signalled the start of changes in Morocco.
This evening in Marrakesh a meeting is beeing held to prepare for the coming demonstrations. Women are among the participants and there is a lively discussion about which demands should be raised.
Samira ElAlaoui, activist 20February movement (french)
-All Moroccans are discriminated against. All Moroccans lack basic rights so our demands are the same as the demands of all Moroccans.
"Free our political prisoners" is one message. In the 20th of February movement's stores, placards lean against the walls and megaphones stand on the shelves, all ready to once again take to the streets and demand change.
Abd ElMotalib, activist 20February movement (english)
-So this is one, a basic right, "Protesting is a legal right". We should have the right to protest, we should not be punished or be treated with violence just because we voice out our needs or our rights.
In addition to fighting for freedom and democracy, a free society without secret police and surveillance is one of the stronger demands.
Abd ElMotalib, activist 20February movement (english)
-As in revolutions in other countries, "Enough of police, enough of police, give us more schools"
The 20th of February movement has made tens of thousands of Moroccans take part in demonstrations. And they have so far been successful, the royal regime in March promised reforms.
A committee will propose a new constitution and a referendum is expected in September.
The royal dynasty has ruled Morocco since independence from France in 1956 and is the longest-standing regime in the Arab world. Through control of Moroccan business and industry, the royal family has enriched itself and now has a multi-billion fortune, while more than one-tenth of all Moroccans live on less than one euro a day.
Early in the morning in BabDoukkala-square, bikes are parked and men hang around, waiting for a job for the day. Unemployment is high despite a relatively high level of education and a large tourism sector. But the problem is widespread corruption and the unequal distribution of wealth.
Mostafa Sabbane, representative PSU, Partie Socialiste Unifie, Marrakesh (arabic)
-We are struggling to gain a fair constitution for the country, with a just social society so that all natural resources and wealth will be divided in an equitable manner among all Moroccan citizens in order that disparities between different groups are reduced.
Now different organisations and political parties can work more freely. But freedom of the press is still reduced, the royal family can not be criticized.
Mostafa Sabbane, representative PSU, Partie Socialiste Unifie, Marrakesh (arabic)
-We are proposing a parliamentary monarchy. The royal family can keep it's assets and he can be king but only as a symbol.
Cobras are dancing and snake charmers play as usual at the Djemaa alFnaa, the famous square in the middle of Marrakech. But all is not as usual, at the far end, the remains of the blown-out restaurant can be seen where seventeen people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in a bomb attack at the end of April. The police is guarding and ordinary Moroccans watch in dismay.
The authorities put the blame on a militant islamist group but without providing any clear proofs. The earlier bomb attacks in Casablanca in 2003 promted the enactment of new anti-terrorism laws in Morocco, which has a long history of opression.
The political elite controls the police and judiciary and tens of thousands were subjected to imprisonment, torture and extrajudicial deaths during the 70's and 80's. But for the last twenty years, a reconciliation process has emerged and since the reform process started this year, many political prisoners have been released. Human rights defenders see an improvement.
Mohammad ElGhalloussi, president HR organisation AMDH (arabic)
-We believe Morocco has entered a new period of democracy and respect for human rights but all those responsible for past crimes like false trials, torture... all these people have so far escaped justice. We want them to be brought to justice, to be responsible for their crimes. Everything has to be dealt with in an orderly manner.
The meeting of the 20th of February-movement turns lively and speakers argue. Today the movement is acting openly, they fear Morocco's security services much less now.
Yassir Charak, activist 20th February movement (english)
-We are not hiding anything right now. We are askimg for change and we are saying it so there is nothing to hide.
In the middle, a guy sits with a connected computer and all decisions are put up on the net. But the problem is that Morocco's poor hardly can afford computers.
Yassir Charak, activist 20th February movement (english)
-Our problem is that the people who are really suffering from the system doesn't exactly know where the problem is.
The question is, whether a democratic Morocco would agree to independence for Western Sahara. In June, talks will resume between the Polisario movement and Morocco but few Western Saharans think it will lead to any immediate improvement of the situation. Still, hopes of independence are kept alive.
Brahim Dahane, Human rights activist, Western Sahara (spanish)
-Finally, we will be (independent) and I do hope it will be soon, and without loosing more people by being forced to take up arms to get there.