Barcelona (Spain), 2 November 2026 (SPS) – The Catalan Association of Friends of the Sahrawi People affirmed that the decolonisation process in Western Sahara remains incomplete and that the deadlock in the United Nations Security Council does not invalidate the Sahrawi people's inalienable rights to self-determination and independence.
In a statement, the Spanish association stressed that the United Nations guarantees the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination, but achieving this objective requires collective efforts and strict adherence to international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Against the backdrop of decades of failure to fulfil international commitments towards the Sahrawi people, the association called for the completion of the decolonisation process through a free and transparent referendum, under international guarantees, including the option of independence and with the effective participation of the Frente POLISARIO.
It also called for the protection of Sahrawi civilians, an end to attacks against them, respect for international humanitarian law and the adoption of effective measures to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
The association further urged the establishment of an independent and permanent mechanism to monitor human rights in the occupied territories, ensuring unrestricted access for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, journalists and independent observers, as well as protection for Sahrawi human rights defenders and the release of Sahrawi political prisoners.
It called on the Spanish government to take clear and decisive measures in support of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and to launch a concrete diplomatic initiative to remove obstacles to the decolonisation of Western Sahara.
The association also urged Spain, the European Union and public and private stakeholders to take effective measures against economic agreements and commercial activities that entrench the occupation without the consent of the Sahrawi people.
The Catalan Association of Friends of the Sahrawi People reaffirmed its commitment to standing in solidarity with the Sahrawi people and supporting justice, liberation and respect for human rights.
