Call for Australia to stop Sahara phosphate imports
9 MAY 2012, 8:17 AM - SOURCE: GARETH BOREHAM, SBS
A Saharawi human rights activist is calling for Australia to stop phosphate imports from the strife-torn region of Western Sahara.
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By Gareth Boreham, SBS
Western Sahara is one of the world's most hotly disputed regions. Rich in phosphate, it was once a Spanish colony, but is now claimed by Morocco and independence group the Polisario Front.
Morocco governs much of the area, referring to it as the Southern Provinces. But a strip of Western Sahara is ruled by the Polisario Front, they call it the 'Liberated Territories'.
It's separated from the rest of Western Sahara by a wall, flanked by landmines.
Human rights activist, Malak Amidan, who's visiting Australia, is calling for Australia to stop phosphate imports from the territory.
She fears she will be jailed by Moroccan authorities for speaking out.
Malak Amidan says workers in Western Sahara are exploited every day. None more so than those in the territory's phosphate industry.
"These people are poor. They haven't anything… and that's what we come for, to ask the Australian people to help us," she says.
She's urging our political leaders to stop Australian companies importing the product from the region.
I come here to look for help from the Australian people because my people live in a horrible situation because of the companies who come to Western Sahara and steal our natural resources," Amidan told SBS.
Her visit has been sponsored by Australian unions accusing Morocco of human rights abuses in the region.
But the Fertilizer Industry Federation says the three companies that do source high-grade phosphate rock from Western Saharan deposits - Wesfarmers, Impact Fertilisers and Incitec Pivot - have advice it is legal under international law with no trading restrictions imposed by the Federal Government.
As she seeks to educate Australians about the situation in her homeland, Malak Amidan claims she will be sent to prison on her return for speaking out and wearing the Western Saharan flag.
The Moroccan embassy in Canberra has hit back, accusing Malak Amidan of peddling "cheap propaganda".
Western Sahara was a colony of Spain until the European power pulled out in 1975.
Since then, it's been the subject of dispute between the power that seized control, Morocco, and the Algerian-backed force pushing for independence, the Polisario.
Tensions escalated in late 2010 with the sides blaming each other for the deaths of civilians and security forces during a riot at a refugee camp set up by displaced Saharwis in protest at their living conditions under Moroccan rule.
The Moroccan Government broke up the camp, accusing the Algerian secret service of financing the operation to de-stabilise the region.
In a bid to shake-off allegations of abuse, the embassy points to the on-going presence of a United Nations monitor in the region.
While Morocco has suggested some self-autonomy for Western Sahara, it's steadfast in maintaining its right to the territory's vast sands.
Leaving the world hoping the UN can still negotiate a political solution to the impasse.
Watch this story on YouTube:
Call for Australia to stop Sahara phosphate imports
9 MAY 2012, 8:17 AM - SOURCE: GARETH BOREHAM, SBS
A Saharawi human rights activist is calling for Australia to stop phosphate imports from the strife-torn region of Western Sahara.
RELATED By Gareth Boreham, SBS
Western Sahara is one of the world's most hotly disputed regions. Rich in phosphate, it was once a Spanish colony, but is now claimed by Morocco and independence group the Polisario Front.
Morocco governs much of the area, referring to it as the Southern Provinces. But a strip of Western Sahara is ruled by the Polisario Front, they call it the 'Liberated Territories'.
It's separated from the rest of Western Sahara by a wall, flanked by landmines.
Human rights activist, Malak Amidan, who's visiting Australia, is calling for Australia to stop phosphate imports from the territory.
She fears she will be jailed by Moroccan authorities for speaking out.
Malak Amidan says workers in Western Sahara are exploited every day. None more so than those in the territory's phosphate industry.
"These people are poor. They haven't anything… and that's what we come for, to ask the Australian people to help us," she says.
She's urging our political leaders to stop Australian companies importing the product from the region.
I come here to look for help from the Australian people because my people live in a horrible situation because of the companies who come to Western Sahara and steal our natural resources," Amidan told SBS.
Her visit has been sponsored by Australian unions accusing Morocco of human rights abuses in the region.
But the Fertilizer Industry Federation says the three companies that do source high-grade phosphate rock from Western Saharan deposits - Wesfarmers, Impact Fertilisers and Incitec Pivot - have advice it is legal under international law with no trading restrictions imposed by the Federal Government.
As she seeks to educate Australians about the situation in her homeland, Malak Amidan claims she will be sent to prison on her return for speaking out and wearing the Western Saharan flag.
The Moroccan embassy in Canberra has hit back, accusing Malak Amidan of peddling "cheap propaganda".
Western Sahara was a colony of Spain until the European power pulled out in 1975.
Since then, it's been the subject of dispute between the power that seized control, Morocco, and the Algerian-backed force pushing for independence, the Polisario.
Tensions escalated in late 2010 with the sides blaming each other for the deaths of civilians and security forces during a riot at a refugee camp set up by displaced Saharwis in protest at their living conditions under Moroccan rule.
The Moroccan Government broke up the camp, accusing the Algerian secret service of financing the operation to de-stabilise the region.
In a bid to shake-off allegations of abuse, the embassy points to the on-going presence of a United Nations monitor in the region.
While Morocco has suggested some self-autonomy for Western Sahara, it's steadfast in maintaining its right to the territory's vast sands.
Leaving the world hoping the UN can still negotiate a political solution to the impasse.
Watch this story on YouTube:
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