More than a hundred artists, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders have shown their support for the Sahara Film Festival's manifesto (FiSahara) in protest against the filming of 'The Odyssey' in Western Sahara, a region under Moroccan control. The film, directed by a prominent European filmmaker, has generated controversy over its choice of location, as it is considered to legitimize the occupation and violate the Sahrawi people's right to decide on their territory. The signatories of the manifesto demand that the rights of the Sahrawi people be respected and that filming be halted immediately, while at the same time promoting respect for international law.
The FiSahara, known for its commitment to the dissemination of Sahrawi culture and the defense of its rights, has received support from various international figures in its struggle against what they consider a blatant violation of human rights. According to the manifesto, the filming not only constitutes an affront to the Sahrawi people, but it also ignores the United Nations resolutions that advocate for a just and peaceful solution to the conflict. The undersigned call on the international community to join this cause and to pressure film production companies to reconsider their involvement in projects that perpetuate situations of injustice.
Read the full news article on The World.
