Roseau, DOMINICA., The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation C-24, opened its Regional Seminar for the Caribbean, at the Kempinski Resort and Spa this morning. The Commonwealth of Dominica is honored to welcome all delegates who will be in Dominica for the August 25 to 27 event. The Seminar will be held within the framework of the start of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, (2021-2030).
This year’s theme is: “Charting a dynamic course for decolonization in commencing the Fourth International Decade and in the light of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, through commitment to mandate, collaboration, pragmatism and agility”. Among other Agenda items, the Committee is expected to examine the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.
The Commonwealth of Dominica reiterates its full and unwavering support to the political process, held under the exclusive auspices of the UN Secretary General, aimed at reaching a realistic, practicable, enduring political solution, based on compromise, to the regional dispute between Morocco and Algeria, over the Moroccan Sahara.
The Commonwealth of Dominica reaffirms its steadfast support to the Autonomy Initiative within the territorial integrity and national sovereignty, as the only compromise solution to this artificial regional dispute.
This initiative, submitted by the kingdom of Morocco, is in full conformity with international law, the UN Charter, the General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. It should be stressed that the United Nations Security Council, in all its successive resolutions since 2007, including 2548, adopted on October 30, 2020, welcomed the serious and credible efforts of Morocco, namely the Autonomy Initiative, to resolve this regional dispute.
The Commonwealth of Dominica commends and welcomes the socio-economic development of the Moroccan Sahara, thanks to the efforts and investments of the Kingdom of Morocco, within the framework of the New Development Model of the Moroccan Sahara launched in 2015. This model has greatly empowered the populations of the Moroccan Sahara and raised the Human Development Indices in this region.
The Commonwealth of Dominica salutes Morocco’s achievements in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in the Moroccan Sahara, in particular the vaccination campaign which offered a wide access of the populations to the covid-19 vaccine, the highest in the African Continent.
The Commonwealth of Dominica welcomes the participation of the democratically elected representatives of the Moroccan Sahara in the regional seminars and meetings of the C-24, as well as their presence in Dominica to take part in this Seminar. The participation of these elected representatives of the Moroccan Sahara allows the international Community to have first-hand information on the stable and prosperous situation in the Southern Provinces of Morocco, far from any fallacious propaganda of other parties.
“Building a Resilient Public Service: A Collective Response”
The Commonwealth of Dominica expresses its admiration to Morocco’s substantial Human Rights achievements, welcomed by Security Council resolutions, including 2548.
The Commonwealth of Dominica reiterates its concern regarding the situation of the populations of the Tindouf camps in Algeria, in particular the violations of their fundamental human rights and freedoms. The Commonwealth of Dominica reaffirms the need for the registration of the populations sequestered in the Tindouf Camps, in conformity with International Humanitarian Law, with the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and with all Security Council resolutions since 2011.
The Seminar will consider recent developments with respect to the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories in the Caribbean, Pacific and other regions, on a case-by-case basis, particularly in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The Seminar’s conclusions and recommendations will be considered by the Special Committee and subsequently tabled in the General Assembly.
