The Saharawis have justice and international law on their side, they have no reason to avoid the truth. Because the Moroccan case lacks justice, is not based on law or UN resolutions, they need to manipulate the truth
Through their human rights abuses of the Saharawis living under Moroccan occupation, I believe Morocco has disqualified itself as an appropriate authority for administering this territory and that it could not be a responsible decision to endorse their autonomy proposal. No country recognises their claim to the territory, yet they speak of their 'sovereignty' over it. Do not be misled. Sovereignty is the very issue at stake in the dispute about Western Sahara and the reason the UN set up a mission to organise a referendum of self-determination.

Part I:

It is really surprising to read some of the comments above, especially those coming seemingly from Moroccans or people who are in favour of Morocco’s position as to the longstanding conflicts in Western Sahara.

It is very surprising and shocking indeed that, in the 21st century, there are still people who have not been able to realise the fact that we, mainly in the west, have long ago left behind many centuries of dark ages in which absolute monarchs ruled by some metaphysical and supposedly divine rights, dominated vast areas and subjected many peoples to their cruel and inherently undemocratic rule.

Our forefathers strove a great deal to bring those dark pages of our history to an end, and thanks to their efforts we now enjoy our freedoms and live in democratic countries where sovereignty is invested in the people and exercised through their democratically elected representatives, not by an absolute monarch that rules, reigns and has rights over everything spiritual and material.

These are fundamental facts of which implications universally some people unfortunately seem unable to comprehend. Any sensible man or woman who genuinely believes in democracy, equality and human dignity will readily understand why the small people of Western Sahara continue to reject to be ruled by the autocratic and absolute monarchy in Morocco.

The fact, which many Moroccans and other like-minded people, do not want to see or talk about, is that Morocco is still ruled by one of the few remaining absolute monarchies in the world. Where in the world do you see a country in which the monarch rules and reigns, and whose poor subjects, including his ministers and senior officials, are under obligation to bow before him and pathetically kiss his hand? Where in the world is questioning the monarchical system is a sacrilegious act that implies death penalty? I know of no other country save Morocco that fits the bill.

Simon Rodriguez

Part II:

It is an unarguable fact that Morocco is still ruled by a feudal system at the helm of which is a monarch that rules on the basis of some highly questionable divine right (exactly as monarchs ruled in middle-age Europe!), and has royal prerogatives to appoint ministers and dismisses them at will. He also can dissolve the ‘parliament’ of his majesty and rule by decrees. Above all, he is accountable to no one!

Morocco is a country where more than 50% of the population is illiterate (of which 70% are women), and where a large part of the young population is unemployed. Many of those youngsters are forced to flee their miserable lives in Morocco and risk their lives sailing to Europe. Morocco is also a country where the dramatically deteriorating social-economic situation of many people has become a fertile ground for radical and home-grown terrorist groups. This is, indeed, the real Morocco that many people seem unable to see and decry.
It will certainly be more productive for these understandably Moroccan nationalists to look inward and try to structurally reform their political system and improve the lives of millions of Moroccans, instead of reproducing the discourses of an autocratic ruling elite, with no regard for the welfare of its own people.

As an outsider with some knowledge in the politics of the region, and mainly someone who believes in and cherishes the values of democracy and human rights, I understand very well and advocate the demand of the people of Western Sahara to live in a free and democratic state. I also understand why they have resisted to be ruled by Morocco, because simply no enlightened and democratic mind in the world can tolerate—let alone allow to be ruled by—an authoritarian and undemocratic regime as the one ruling in Morocco.

Simon Rodriguez

Since the comment section is fastly becoming a "war of words," please allow me to say:

In May of 1973, the Polisario was formed. Many words were spoken about this.

In November of 1975, the Green March was held. Many words were spoken about this.

In March of 1976, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic was formed. Many words were spoken about this.

In August of 1978, the Polisario and Mauritania signed their agreements. Many words were spoken about this.

From 1976 until 1991, the Polisario waged a guerrilla warfare. Many words were spoken about this.

In April of 1991, MINURSO was formed. Many words were spoken about this.

In September of 1991, a ceasefire was enacted. Many words were spoken about this.

In May of 1996, the United Nations suspended referendum moves. Many words were spoken about this.

In June of 2001, the Baker Plan was introduced. Many words were spoken about this.

In July of 2003, the United Nations adopted a compromise resolution proposing that Western Sahara become a semi-autonomous region of Morocco for a transition period of five years. Many words were spoken about this.

In June of 2004, James Baker resigned his position and the United Nations process remains deadlocked. Many words were spoken about this.

Since June of 2004 until today, yet many more words have been spoken about this issue. In fact, there are no new words left to speak. Every word that could have possibly been spoken on this issue has been.

Therefore it is time not for words but for action, the action of returning the Sahrawis to their homeland. On this issue everyone can agree. Then do it, no words, but only the sound of the Sahrawis returning to their homeland.

Please, no more let it be said that "many words were spoken about this."

I do thank you.

- It looks like you are having a lot of issues with Morocco's political system and the monarchy, Good. I do too actually. Not because it is historically old etc... (UK, Spain are old secular monarchies too...) but because I think the monarchy has had a big part in letting this issue drag and become rotten like it is today.

And since when you not agreeing with the political system in a 1000+ years country (sorry for the 200+ years of the forefathers saga) justifies cannibalizing a country? . How about we go nuke Japan then? They have an emperor! You can attack how the political system is functionning in Morocco, but give me a break, have you seen the polisario "institutions" and what they preach?

Also, if you are so keen about democracy how do you explain that the people of Tindouf do not have basic liberties such as the freedom of leaving or staying? Recently 238 of them escaped and rejoined Morocco through the Mauritanian border, few days later 40 others tried but were caught by the algerian army and returned back to the Polisario. God only knows what happened to them. How do you explain that 6000+ people including ex-leaders of polisario joined Morocco?

- Your argument about Moroccan = terrorist is purely racist and preposterous. If poverty plays a role in radicalization, you surely cannot attribute that ONLY to poverty. Mohamed Atta and the 911 hijackers were far from being poor. They were engineers and trained pilots...

Some literature: France Libertes was one of the biggest supporters of the Polisario, this is what they finally discovered: http://www.arso.org/flreport_tindouf.pdf

And as a bonus, please see the testimony of moroccan prisoners when they were trying to release their fellowmen after they escaped from the camps.. :

http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/pressconference/pc050523am1.rm

The Moroccans are avoiding the issues raised in the article. They want to divert the attention. But the main issue is that Morocco illegally occupied Western Sahara in violation of the International Court of Justice verdict and the various UN resolutions that called for the exercise by the Saharawi people of their right to self-determination.

We are not here to judge Polisario. Because, Polisario’s objective is only to achieve independence for the Saharawi people. Then there will be multiparty democratic elections. Even if Polisario and the current leadership disappears or is annihilated by the Moroccans that will not resolve the problem because the overwhelming majority of the Saharawis want independence. Even those in the occupied areas who are not part of Polisario.

The only resolution to the conflict is through a democratic, free and fair referendum to give the Saharawi people and even to Moroccan settlers the chance to decide their and the Territory’s future. Why is Morocco afraid of the referendum?

We all know that the reason for Morocco to hold on Western Sahara is because it is rich and provides a way for the regime to divert attention from serious issues and problems in Morocco itself. This is why there has been no real reform, no respect of human rights, no respect to free speech and basically no real democracy.

It is time Moroccans looked into their own home or rather mess and pressured the absolute monarch of Mohamed VI to give them their basic rights and to respect the rights of the Saharawis.

Morocco has caused so much suffering to the Saharawi people through war, exile and human rights abuses as well as family separations. It is time to redeem thy selves and heal the terrible wounds. It is time for the referendum.