ALGERIA: The Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights, Mr Tom Kitt, yesterday welcomed the release of a further 100 Moroccan prisoners in Tindouf, Algeria.
The releases follow representations by Ireland and the EU.
The prisoners, some of whom have been held for over 20 years, were captured during the conflict between Polisario (the national liberation organisation representing the Saharoui people) and Morocco in 1975-91.
Speaking in Tindouf, where he had the opportunity to meet some of those released, Mr Kitt said: "During my meetings with Polisario representatives, who visited Dublin in recent months, I exhorted them to urgently consider further prisoner releases. I stressed that the continued holding of such prisoners could only be detrimental to the Polisario's broader political cause.
"I am delighted to be here today to bear witness to the release of these prisoners which can only be seen as a positive step forward by the Polisario. I call on all sides to build on this constructive development without further delay, with a view to the early release of all remaining prisoners and the resolution of other outstanding issues of importance to Polisario and the Kingdom of Morocco in accordance with obligations set out under international humanitarian law."
Mr Kitt also toured the refugee camps in which 160,000 Saharoui refugees from Western Sahara live, having fled into Algeria as a result of the conflict. He pledged the continued support of the EU, and Ireland in particular, for the ongoing efforts of the UN to reach a mutually acceptable political solution to the Western Sahara issue.
Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony which lies on the coast of Africa to the south of Morocco. Following Spain's withdrawal from the colony in 1975, Moroccan forces occupied the territory, claiming it to be an integral part of Morocco. This claim has not been upheld by the International Court of Justice. The indigenous Saharoui people, represented by the Polisario front, fought a guerrilla campaign against Moroccan forces between 1975 and 1991 when a ceasefire was brokered by the UN.
Since 1991, efforts have been underway to broker a peace settlement acceptable to all the parties. The most recent plan has been accepted by Algeria and by Polisario, but not yet by Morocco. Ireland takes the position that the correct decolonisation procedure must be followed and that the Saharoui people should be allowed to determine their own future.