London, June 13, 2026 (SPS) – The British “Sandblast” Association in Solidarity with the Sahrawi People, in cooperation with the Polisario Front representation in the United Kingdom, organized a political and human rights symposium under the title: “Western Sahara: The Last African Colony – Occupation, Resistance, Exile, and Similarities with Palestine.”
The symposium was an opportunity to shed light on the struggle of the Sahrawi people for freedom and independence, and to review the similarities between the Sahrawi and Palestinian issues, in terms of the colonial experience, forms of occupation and oppression, and the reality of asylum and exile, as well as continued international support for the occupying powers in both cases.
A number of Sahrawi actors and activists participated in the symposium, where the modern activist Mohamed presented an intervention on the conditions of Sahrawi refugees in refugee camps, while the activist Mohamed Danoun addressed the reality of human rights in the occupied Sahrawi regions and the violations to which Sahrawi civilians are exposed. Ms. Danielle Smith, President of the “Sandblast” Association, also contributed to enriching the discussion about the latest solidarity work with the struggle of the Sahrawi people and the need to develop it.
The symposium included live testimonies presented by Sahrawi activists about the human rights situation in the occupied territories, in addition to the presentation of a documentary tape about the Sahrawi issue produced by “Aktub Media,” and another documenting the struggle of the Sahrawi activist Sultana Khaia in the face of the Moroccan occupation.
The participants also discussed the latest political developments related to the Sahrawi issue, stressing the importance of strengthening international solidarity with the Sahrawi people and supporting their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
The symposium concluded by emphasizing the need to continue efforts aimed at publicizing the Sahrawi issue, exposing violations committed in the occupied territories, and strengthening bridges of solidarity between peoples fighting for freedom and justice. (SPA)
