REFERENDUM ON THE FUTURE OF THE WESTERN SAHARA

Early day motion 298, tabled 5 December 2002 by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour). Signed by 113 members.

That this House expresses its profound regret that the Saharawi people are still waiting to exercise their right to self-determination, 27 years after Morocco's illegal occupation of the Western Sahara; is deeply concerned about continuing reports of human rights violations against the Saharawi people in occupied Western Sahara and the severe shortfall in food aid affecting those in neighbouring refugee camps; welcomes the UN Security Council's recent reassertion of the importance of the Saharawi's right to self-determination; further notes the willingness of the POLISARIO Front to discuss with Morocco arrangements for the holding of the referendum to determine the future of the Western Sahara and economic and political guarantees in the event of the Western Sahara achieving independence following the referendum; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to get the parties to resume their talks with the aim of holding the long-delayed referendum and restoring stability to the area.

Signatures by party: Labour 72, Liberal Democrat 21, Labour/Co-operative 7, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, UUP 1.