Australia will ask Morocco to cooperate with Ross and supports human rights

Canberra, June 05, 2012 (SPS) – the Australian Government stated that it would ask Morocco to seriously consider its decision not to cooperate with Mr Christopher Ross, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on the Western Sahara, during a hearing in the Australian Senate on Wednesday.$

In a response to a questions from Senator Lee Rhiannon, Mr Paul Robilliard, First Assistant Secretary, head of South and West Asia and Middle East Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said “The next round of informal talks are due to be held in June. We certainly hope that Morocco will continue that round of informal discussions with Mr Christopher Ross.”

Responding to questions whether Australia supports the idea of the inclusion of human rights in the mandate of the UN mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), Mr Robilliard said “We fully support that.” 

During the hearing Mr. Robilliard said that the Australian “government’s policy is that we do believe the people of Western Sahara have a right to self-determination.” (SPS)