in favour of the present Constitution in a referendum. Under Islamic law, Muslims pledged allegiance to their leader in return for his prOteCtiOn and guidance in achieving political, economic and social progress. No political party in Morocco had ever sought the abolition of Islam and the monarchy. The National Charter of Human Rights was not yet an OffiCial document but merely a draft text under nationwide debate with a view to establishing future guidelines. It had been brought to the attention of the government but was binding only on the political parties that had drafted it. The Charter would be taken into account by the authorities in 60 far as it was considered justified. The possibility of acceding to the Optional Protocol was currently under consideration. voted . * Self-df%mumWn 238. In connection with that issue, members of the Conunittee,aeked the representative to comment on the problems relating to self-determination in Western Sahara in the context of the obligations assumed by the Kingdom of Morocco under article 1, paragraph 3, of the Covenant. They also wished to know whether human rights and freedoms in Western Sahara were suspended or made subject to restrictions ; whether there had been any displacement of populationr what was the current demographic composition in the region! what was the legal statue accorded to the population of Western Sahara pending the outcome of the referendum and whether any distinction was drawn between population groups opposed to joining Morocco and those in favour of it; whether there were any plans to grant amnesty to persons sentenced to life imprisonment in the 19706 for having declared themselves to be in favour of a’ referendums what measures had been taken with regard to the reported disappearance of a very large number of Saharane*, whether Saharane had exactly the same identity documents as other Moroccaner end how the prohibition of statements expressing opinions different from those of the authorities relating to the statue of Western Sahara could be reconciled with article 19 of the Covenant. 239. In his response, the representative reiterated the importance attached by Morocco to the right of peoples, in particular African peoples, to self-determination. With regard to Western Sahara, an outline of a settlement was taking shape. The Secretary-General of the United Nations was to draw up a timetable, in consultation with the parties, for the proclamation of a cease-fire and the holding of a self-determination referendum. The Saharan Population was not treated differently from the rest of the Moroccan population since the Saharane formed an integral part of the Moroccan people, Saharane elected their own municipal councils and held positions of responsibility in the civil service. The Kingdom had not proclaimed a state of exception since 1976, even though the prevailing situation was tantamount to a state of war. The conflict had had no harmful effect on the economy or on the free movement of individuals. Individuals had been sentenced for having rejected the idea that Western Sahara formed part of Moroccan territcry, but it was possible that the King might exercise his right of pardon. 240, With regard to the question of disappearances, the representative stated that an inquiry was being conducted, but that the allegations, while admittedly disturbing, did not seem to be very credible, The government would Provide all the necessary clarifications to the Working Group on Enforced or -59-