separated for more than 30 years, a painful situation for the population in both the
Occupied Territory and the refugee camps.
33. In 2004, the UNHCR and MINURSO under the Confidence Building Measures started
organizing flights to facilitate the exchange of reciprocal visits between family members
in the refugee camps and the Occupied Territory. This initiative however has some
limitations in that the demand for family visits is high and the flights are very restrictive,
however new initiatives are being envisaged to increase the capacity of the flights.
iv.)
Right to freely dispose of wealth and natural resources
34. The illegal exploitation of natural resources by Morocco in the Occupied Territory was
also brought to the attention of the delegation. The delegation was informed that the
European Union and the Government of Morocco signed a fisheries agreement that
allows European fishing vessels to fish off the shore of the Occupied Territory, without
involving the Sahrawi and without re-investing the proceeds of exploitation of the
resources for the benefit of the Sahrawi People. The same concern was also raised about
the mining of phosphates especially in the mine of Bou Craa from which Morocco has
allegedly greatly benefited.
v.)
Right to life and the integrity of the person
35. The delegation met with and listened to testimonies from about thirty-five (35) families
whose members have disappeared. Some of them were kidnapped from their families
and kept in Moroccan prisons. According to the testimonies, some 4500 Sahrawis were
victims of enforced disappearances and more than 500 of them are still reported missing.
36. In 2010, the Moroccan National Human Rights Commission issued a list of “352 cases of
enforced disappearances.” It recognized that 352 Sahrawis have died, including 144
people allegedly during military battles without specifying their identities or the exact
circumstances of their death. The report acknowledges that the perpetrators of these
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