The objective of the campaign, that is also being backed by a large number of other Spanish actors, directors, and producers, is to collect signatures on the www.todosconelsahara.com website for a motion urging the Spanish government to recognise the diplomatic status of the Frente Polisario, which is a rebel nationalist movement working for the independence of Western Sahara.
During the recent Saharan Film Festival, Bardem read out a prepared statement that said: "the situation in the refugee camps gets worse with each year that passes. The peace process is blocked and this is especially affecting the weakest - women, children and old people. 200,000 former Spanish citizens have been abandoned in the desert for 33 years. It's urgent that the public helps to restore freedom to the Sahrawi people."
Africa's last colonySince 1975, three quarters of the Western Sahara territory has been illegally occupied by Morocco. The original population lives divided between those suffering human rights abuses under the Moroccan occupation and those living in exile in Algerian refugee camps. For more than 40 years, the Saharawi await the fulfilment of their legitimate right to self-determination.
Since 1975, three quarters of the Western Sahara territory has been illegally occupied by Morocco. The original population lives divided between those suffering human rights abuses under the Moroccan occupation and those living in exile in Algerian refugee camps. For more than 40 years, the Saharawi await the fulfilment of their legitimate right to self-determination.
