Moroccans protest Spain's invasion of Moroccan islet
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002

Moroccans demonstrated this Thursday in capital city Rabat and in the northern city of Tetuan, to protest Spain's invasion of the Moroccan Leila islet. In Rabat, some 200 persons representing human rights, information and civil society associations demonstrated in front of Spain's embassy at the call of the Moroccan Human Rights Association (AMDH).

The demonstrators chanted slogans denouncing Spain's occupation of the Moroccan islet and calling for the liberation of Sebta and Melillia and neighboring Jaffarine islands.

AMDH chairman, Abdelhamid Amine, stressed in an address he made on the occasion the need to settle the issue amicably and to opt for peaceful channels. He hailed the Spanish leftist "Izquierda Unida" party for its "courageous stand which upholds friendship between peoples and rejects colonial mindset." Amine called other Spanish living forces to show courage and voice support to Morocco's rights.

The AMDH chairman also denounced the biased stand adopted by the European Union and NATO over this issue.

The AMDH central bureau sent on behalf of the demonstrators a letter to Spain's embassy in Rabat strongly denouncing the islet invasion which evidences a colonial mentality, in contradiction with human rights values.

In Tetuan, some 200 persons staged a demonstration for the second consecutive day in front of Spain's consulate to denounce the military intervention in the islet.

The demonstrators, waving the Moroccan flag and brandishing banners, chanted slogans upholding the Moroccan identity of the islet and condemning Spain's aggressions against this integral part of Morocco's national territory.

Previous Stories:
  History confirms Leila islet is Moroccan territory, testimonies   (7/18/2002)
  Spain's Llamazares: invasion of Leila islet smacks of colonialism   (7/18/2002)
  The Guardian: impossible not to side with the Moroccans over Leila islet   (7/18/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search