General

	Fatima Mahfoud

A Saharawi woman speaks out

Fatima Mahfoud is visiting Australia to help spread the message about the suffering of the people of Western Sahara. For the last few years the ASU at both a national and Branch level has supported the Western Sahara freedom movement. We encourage everyone to consider attending one of the many events around Fatima's visit to Sydney and Melbourne.

The ASU will be involved at the public meeting on Tuesday, June 10, from 6.00 - 7.30PM, where Fatima will speak and an SBS documentary on Western Sahara will be screened. Western Sahara campaigner Justice John Dowd AO will also be in attendance. The venue is Sydney Trades Hall, corner Goulburn & Dixon Streets, Sydney.

"A representative of the Saharawi people, Fatima Mahfoud is visiting Australia in June to tell the story of the Western Sahara conflict from a Saharawi woman's point of view. She will share her experiences of life in the desert refugee camps where many of her people have been living since Morocco invaded Western Sahara in 1975. Women play a crucial role in organising the functioning of the camps. This is the first time a Saharawi woman has visited Australia," said Paul Reid, NSW USU Branch Training Officer. Paul Reid is also the Chair of the Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA).

Further information:

• Fatima Mahfoud is a highly accomplished activist - click here for Fatima's profile.
• Click here for the full Sydney visit program.
• Click here for the full Melbourne visit program.
• Further information about the tour can be obtained from Lesley Osborne (lesleyosborne@bigpond.com tel: 9801 5372) or Paul Reid (0407 242 092).

Affiliate to AWSA

The ASU has been an affiliate of the Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA) (the website has moved to: http://www.awsa.org.au ) for many years. We have worked with other trade union bodies such as the NSW Labor Council to encourage other Australian unions as well as politicians to examine the issues at stake. Other organisations can affiliate by contacting the AWSA direct (details on the AWSA website).