UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES HONORS KENNEDY´S EFFORTS FOR REFUGEES AMONG THEM THE SAHARAWI PEOPLE

The Saharawi Women as well as the whole people of Western Sahara are very pleased to see that the United Nations´s High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Antonio Guterres, has recognized the Senator Kennedy´s great efforts to help the refugees all over the world and specially the Saharawi refugees that are still living in refuggee camps due to the moroccan invasion and illegal occupation to the main cities of Western sahara.

Ted Kennedy was a steadfast defender of the Saharawi people’s right to determine its own future, in line with UN resolutions and international law. We are very pleased that the UN High Commissioner honors Kennedy’s effort for refugees around the world", said Ronny Hansen in The Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara.

Some of Kennedy's Western Sahara statements "Due to serious violations of the peace plan by the Government of Morocco, the [MINURSO] observers have been prevented from fostering an atmosphere of confidence and stability conducive to holding a free and fair referendum"Statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Africa Subcommittee, 1 Oct 1992."The ongoing crisis in the Western Sahara raises serious questions regarding the Government of Morocco's willingness to honor its international commitment to a free and fair referendum in the Western Sahara."Statement, January 1994"The International Court of Justice, the Organization of African Unity, the United States, and many nations throughout the world have not recognized Morocco's claim to the Western Sahara, but the Moroccan occupation continues."Statement, June 1999"Morocco gained the respect of the international community when it agreed in 1991 and again in 1997 to allow a referendum on the future of the Western Sahara. These actions demonstrated an impressive commitment to the right of self-determination for the people of the Western Sahara. The referendum is an important part of the peace process, and I hope that it will take place as soon as possible."Press release after meeting between Kennedy and King Mohammed VI, 22 June 2002.See also statement from 2000, in which Kennedy demands that US Secretary of State submits report to the Senate on progress of referendum.Time and again over several decades, Edward Kennedy championed the Western Sahara cause in the US Senate and the White House. He repeatedly criticized the US for not doing enough to pressure Morocco and strengthen the UN effort.

In 2000 he debated the issue directly with the Moroccan King, Mohammed VI. “The referendum is an important part of the peace process, and I hope that it will take place as soon as possible”, Kennedy said in a statement after the meeting. In announcing the 2009 Nansen award, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said: "Senator Kennedy stood out as a forceful advocate for those who suddenly found themselves with no voice and no rights. Year after year, conflict after conflict, he put the plight of refugees on the agenda and drove through policies that saved and shaped countless lives.

"The Nansen Refugee Award is given annually to an individual or organization for outstanding work on behalf of refugees. Funded by Norway and Switzerland it was created in 1954 in honor of Fridtjof Nansen, the legendary Norwegian polar explorer and scientist, and the first High Commissioner for Refugees. In this role, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.

Kennedy made an enormous effort to put the Western Sahara issue on the political agenda. In 2008 he helped award the Saharawi human rights activist Aminatou Haidar the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. "We have lost a loud and clear voice for the Saharawi people, but rejoice today in celebration of his life and service", said Hansen.