The decision of the Spanish authorities not to notify their Moroccan counterparts of the arrival of the leader of the “polisario” militias is a premeditated act, a voluntary choice and a sovereign decision made by Spain, of which Morocco takes full note, says the ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad in a statement.
The ministry stresses that “the decision of the Spanish authorities not to notify their Moroccan counterparts of the arrival of the leader of the “polisario” militias, is not a simple omission. It is a premeditated act, a voluntary choice and a sovereign decision by Spain, of which Morocco takes full note. It will draw all the consequences from that”.
“Since Spain has received on its territory the leader of the “polisario” militias, who is accused of war crimes and serious human rights violations, Spanish officials have made many statements in an attempt to justify this serious and contrary act to the spirit of partnership and good neighborliness,” the ministry points out, noting that the invocation of humanitarian considerations can not justify this negative attitude.
The ministry explains that “humanitarian considerations do not justify the maneuvers behind the backs of a partner and a neighbor”.
Humanitarian considerations, it adds, “cannot be a panacea that is given selectively to the leader of the “polisario” militias, at a time when thousands of people live in inhumane conditions in the Tindouf camps”.
The ministry underlines that humanitarian considerations could not, either, explain the inaction of the Spanish justice, while documented complaints are properly in the hands of this justice.
“Law enforcement and the preservation of victims’ rights cannot be a case of double standards,” it notes.
Humanitarian considerations “do not explain, moreover, that one is complicit in identity theft and falsification of passports, intended to voluntarily circumvent the law”, the source says.
“Finally, humanitarian considerations cannot negate the legitimate claims of victims of rape, torture and massive human rights violations committed by the leader of the “polisario” militia,” the ministry underlines.
The ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad points out that “the attitude of some government officials, prejudging the Moroccan reaction and minimizing the impact, however serious on the relationship, could not obscure this deplorable situation.”
Preserving the bilateral partnership is a shared responsibility, which is nourished by a permanent commitment to showing mutual trust, maintaining fruitful cooperation and safeguarding the strategic interests of the two countries, the ministry concludes.
