Vol. 577 No. 1
26 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, which has been made on the release of Moroccan prisoners held by Polisario, the exchange of prisoners, and access of the international agencies to them. [30477/03]
The situation has not changed since this question was last addressed in this House, on 13 November 2003. While a ceasefire has been in place for some time between the parties, the conflict in the Western Sahara has given rise to serious humanitarian issues, which remain unresolved, including the problem of the Saharaoui refugees in Algeria.
The Government is concerned over the fates of the combatants in the conflict in the Western Sahara, including the fates of those who disappeared during the conflict and the continuing detention of Moroccan prisoners-of-war by the Polisario. The Government firmly believes there is a compelling humanitarian case that all prisoners be released immediately and without preconditions.
The recent release by Polisario of 300 of these prisoners was a welcome step. Some 614 prisoners remain in Polisario custody. The Government is satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place for international humanitarian access, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross, to the prisoners still being held. We would wish to see all parties meeting their humanitarian obligations in full without further delay.
The Government has raised its concerns on these issues in all appropriate fora and will continue to raise these issues in contacts both bilaterally and in concert with our EU partners.
