While Envoy Ross in W. Sahara, UN "Has Nothing" on Beatings of Demonstrators

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, November 4 -- When people long promised by the UN a referendum on independence are reportedly beaten right in front of the UN's envoy, one might expect the UN when asked to confirm or deny the beating. But as regards Western Sahara, this has not happened.

 In the interim, Inner City Press has asked UN system Rapporteur Juan Mendez about Western Sahara, here, and covered sexual abuse by a member of a UN mission MINURSO, click here for that.

  On November 2, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesman Eduardo Del Buey

Inner City Press: in Western Sahara, Christopher Ross’s visit, there are reports of banning protests and even violence against protesters, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, did he observe that? Do you have any statement on it? Do you think his trip was as free and fair as it should have been?

Deputy Spokesperson: Well, what I have on Ambassador Ross’s trip to North Africa is that the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General began his visit to North Africa and Europe in Rabat, where he met His Majesty King Mohammed VI and a wide range of interlocutors, including senior Government officials, political party leaders and civil society representatives. On 31 October, he arrived in Western Sahara, where he has been holding similar meetings and visiting MINURSO [United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara] in Laayoune and at two field team sites. The Personal Envoy will be continuing his trip with visits to Algeria, Mauritania and the refugee camps near Tindouf, where he will meet with the Polisario leadership and Sahrawi personalities. At the end of his trip, he will hold consultations in Madrid and Paris. Upon his return to New York, he will report to the Secretary-General and brief the Security Council.

Inner City Press: I am looking at very detailed report that on 1 November, yesterday at 5 p.m., there was a crackdown, a beating of protesters right in front of him. And I am wondering, it’s not in the readout, is there some way we can find out if it is true?

Deputy Spokesperson: I have nothing on that. We’ll try and find out.

  But more than 48 hours later, nothing. And since then there were reports of more beatings, in Smara, injuring the following people: Said Hayan, Fadala Banahi, Jawda Al-Ouali, Ali Belkhair, Al-Ouali Banahi Dahi, Said Mohamed Hmadnah, Hjeiba Banahi and Bouha Tagaiwa.

  These are detailed reports one would expect the UN to confirm or deny. But given 48 hours, they have not done so. Watch this site.