Page 4 PERIODIC REPORT OF THE SAHRAWI ARAB DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC TO THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES RIGHTS CONTAINING ALL THE OUTSTANDING REPORTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 62 OF THE CHARTER Introduction 1. The Sahrawi Arab Republic occupies an important space in North West Africa. It is an African, Arab, Islamic state that forms an indivisible part of the Great Arab Maghreb. It is proud of its diverse cultural and civilization affiliations. 2. The Sahrawi people have made great sacrifices throughout their resistance and struggle for the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence just like all the other African peoples that gained their independence. 3. The Sahrawi Arab Republic believes in African unity as a primary objective as has been affirmed in the Preamble of the Sahrawi Constitution which stresses the importance of ensuring African Unity, establishment of a world where peace and security prevail based on strong international relations informed by cooperation, solidarity and mutual respect. 4. As a founding member of our Continental Organization, the African Union, the Sahrawi Republic upholds the noble values and principles enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which it adhered on 2 May 1986 and which represents a charter of shared ideals and values of the peoples of our continent. 5. This report reflects the Sahrawi State‟s commitment to the promotion of human and peoples rights and their harmonization with the provisions and contents of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. When preparing this report, the Sahrawi Government has taken into account the directives and recommendations of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights as adopted by its 33rd Session held in Niamey, Niger by making fundamental amendments and several reforms affecting all walks of life in the Sahrawi Republic. Despite the challenges and compelling