Javier Bardem Advocates for Western Sahara at the European Parliament -- NTDTV.com
Hidden among the sands of the Sahara desert is a community of over half a million people. Western Sahara has been a disputed territory for more than 30 years. Freed from Spanish colonization, it has never gained independence and continues to be occupied by Morocco.
Helping to raise awareness about the issue is Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem. He came to the European Parliament on Tuesday to speak out on behalf of those whose rights are being violated in Western Sahara and to present his film called “Sons of the Clouds: the Last Colony”.
[Javier Bardem, Actor]:(male, english)
“There are three things here to do which is to bring attention to the problem, to also monitor the human rights situation on the occupied territories and also to finish as soon as possible the process of decolonization from Spain of Sahara”.
Bardem got involved in Western Sahara when he went to a film festival in a refugee camp there. It took four years to make the documentary.
Film director Alvaro Longoria hopes the film will spur the European Parliament into action.
[Alvaro Longoria, Film Director]: (male, english)
“The European Parliament is a much more democratic institution and it could implement more easily measures leading, or pushing slightly, Morocco towards doing what is right in the territory that they have occupied in Western Sahara”.
Residents of the country, the Sahrawis, have been living under Morrocan occupation since 1979. They are living in relative poverty with their rights to life, healthcare, and self-determination routinely violated.
The country is still waiting for a referendum to declare independence or become part of Morocco. But United Nations pressure to follow through with the referendum has been blocked by France, a permanent member the UN Security Council.
The screening of “Sons of the Clouds” was supported by members of parliament from different political groups and attended by a number of Sahrawi, who see it as a positive step towards their freedom.
NTD News, Brussels, Belgium
Helping to raise awareness about the issue is Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem. He came to the European Parliament on Tuesday to speak out on behalf of those whose rights are being violated in Western Sahara and to present his film called “Sons of the Clouds: the Last Colony”.
[Javier Bardem, Actor]:(male, english)
“There are three things here to do which is to bring attention to the problem, to also monitor the human rights situation on the occupied territories and also to finish as soon as possible the process of decolonization from Spain of Sahara”.
Bardem got involved in Western Sahara when he went to a film festival in a refugee camp there. It took four years to make the documentary.
Film director Alvaro Longoria hopes the film will spur the European Parliament into action.
[Alvaro Longoria, Film Director]: (male, english)
“The European Parliament is a much more democratic institution and it could implement more easily measures leading, or pushing slightly, Morocco towards doing what is right in the territory that they have occupied in Western Sahara”.
Residents of the country, the Sahrawis, have been living under Morrocan occupation since 1979. They are living in relative poverty with their rights to life, healthcare, and self-determination routinely violated.
The country is still waiting for a referendum to declare independence or become part of Morocco. But United Nations pressure to follow through with the referendum has been blocked by France, a permanent member the UN Security Council.
The screening of “Sons of the Clouds” was supported by members of parliament from different political groups and attended by a number of Sahrawi, who see it as a positive step towards their freedom.
NTD News, Brussels, Belgium
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