22 May 2010, the Algerian support organisation for the national self-determination of Saharawi people and the UJSARIO together organised a global solidarity conference in Algiers on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the foundation of th Frente POLISARIO. Some of the Saharawi people are inhabitants of refugee camps, near Tindouf, South-western Algeria, others suffer under the Moroccan occupation of the Saguiet el-Hamra e Rio de Oro for 35 years alread. Then, immediately after the departure of the Spanish colonisers, the Moroccan army occupied the entire Western Sahara. The occupation is maintained unchanged, while Morocco and foreign corporations – among them Europeans and North Americans included – exploit the few natural resources the Saharawi lands are able to provide. The international community observes and narrates the situation with no serious, decisive input. The United Nations established a Mission for the Referendum on National Self-determination (MINURSO) 19 years ago. For MINURSO almost two decades have not been sufficient for the implementation of their mission. In addition, the situation and the life conditions of the Saharawi people have only worsened since then.

The International Union of Socialist Youth has always been a keen supporter of respect, freedom and the full right of national self-determination for the Saharawi people. This is demonstrated by several of our declarations on the issue, by the IUSY full membership of UJSARIO, the youth organisation of the Frente POLISARIO, as well as by the fact that the keynote speaker of the IUSY Festival 2009 in Zánka, Hungary was Mohammed Abdelaziz, the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and the Secretary General of the Frente POLISARIO.

Under these circumstances, it was a very important moment, when I was given the opportunity to represent IUSY at the global conference of solidarity in Algiers. The traditional solidarity conference assembled representatives of youth organisations from approximately 40 countries. In the greeting order, I was given the opportunity to deliver the solidarity statement of IUSY as the first international speaker, followed by other international organisations such as IFM-SEI and WFDY, later on including the greetings of IUSY member organisations such as JUSOS, SSU, Giovani del PD, FGS, JSE. On behalf of IUSY I have delivered the following message:

Ladies and Gentleman, Dear Friends,

Today is a glorious occasion for us. In the wonderful city of Algiers, we have gathered to raise our voice. We gathered to remind the entire world to an horrible debt. To remind everyone that the entire democratic world is awfully indebted to the Saharawi nation. For 35 years now, Saguiet el-Hamra e Rio de Oro could exist fully as an independent country. But the Western Sahara is not independent, because it is the last colony of Africa. Due to the oppression of Morocco, the Western Sahara is occupied since the Spanish colonisers left. These 35 years are the most unforgiveable debt of the democratic world today.

I am Akos Komassy, and I brought along two important messages with me today. I am the Vice-President of the International Union of Socialist Youth, the largest youth movement of the world. Ever since the occupation began, we are devout supporters of the national self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. This is also the reason why we have a wonderful strategic co-operation of our Saharawi member organisation, UJSARIO. I would like to congratulate UJSARIO for the arrangement of this successful solidarity conference.

I salute you, especially for bringing together young Saharawis from the occupied Western Sahara as well as the refugee camps to this event.

We, young socialists believe in democracy and the supremacy of human rights. National self-determination is an essential part of human rights. Thus, our conviction is that occupation was more than enough. It is time for the democratic world, to take leadership and install democracy and the rule of law in the Western Sahara. I call upon the Spanish presidency of the European Union and the United Nations, to act. The mandate of MINURSO shall include the monitoring of the respect for human rights in the Western Sahara and in the camps near Tindouf. Beyond this, the referendum about the independence of Western Sahara must be held as soon as possible.

We, Hungarians, and the entire global community of young socialists were very extraordinarily honoured, when His Excellency, Mohammed Abdelaziz visited us last year. He was the highest guest of honour at the World Festival of IUSY in Zanka, Hungary, in July 2009. We believe that it was an enormously powerful demonstration of our support of the referendum on the independence of Western Sahara. A new era of support for the national self-determination of the Saharawi people has begun in Central Europe.

My second duty is to deliver you the message of solidarity of the Central and Eastern European Alliance for Solidarity with the Saharawi People. We, citizens of young democracies in Central and Eastern Europe, have fresh memories of how crucial it is for an independent nation to live up to its right to self-determination and to do it by peaceful means.

Ladies and Gentleman,

time has come to act! The freedom of Western Sahara is not a local issue. It is the global debt of the entire democratic world. The United Nations’ mission for the referendum in Western Sahara is operational now for almost twenty years. Time has come to act and make the monitoring of the respect for human rights a part of the mandate of MINURSO and go ahead with the referendum.

Our solidarity continues unchanged. We, young socialists from all over the world call for an end to the violation of human rights, we call for an end to the occupation of the Western Sahara. The struggle continues, and we believe that it is time to act now !

Thank you.

31 May 2010/Akos Komassy, Vice-President