"As you begin discussions in the United Nations Security Council (about the Sahara issue), we believe that it is important to address human rights concerns in the Tindouf camps, Algeria, in a manner that addresses the legitimate rights of the population and also sustains the real human rights progress in the Kingdom of Morocco," says the letter.

    They also recalled that "HM King Mohammed VI has already launched an initiative that will greatly enhance the status of human rights protections in the Sahara," describing such an approach as "a significant step that deserves our support."

    The signatories of the letter also said that they are "pleased" with the recent statements of the US Secretary of State "reaffirming the longstanding American policy, supported by bipartisan majority in both the US House and US Senate, toward resolving the dispute over the Sahara based on the formula of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.”

    The US congressmen expressed, in this regard, to Clinton their commitment “to working with you towards the success of this policy.”

    The letter also notes that “Morocco’s constant commitment to human rights protection has ushered in the establishment by King Mohammed VI of a new and wholly independent human rights institution, the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), which is a forward-looking step.”

     “We believe this initiative provides the basis for achieving real monitoring and respect for human rights within the context of the National Council,” they said, adding that “the broad powers delegated to this organization along with the strengthening of the role of the institution of the ‘Mediator’ and the appointment of an ‘Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Human Rights’, as well as the proposed reforms to the constitution, will result in a truly unique and vital contribution to human rights protection in the region.”

    Human rights leaders in Morocco, they recalled, “have praised the creation of the new council, noting that the new initiative is a clear sign of the genuine political desire to firmly entrench democracy and human rights.”

    “The creation of the National Council for Human Rights and its related institutions, enshrining human rights protections in the new constitutional revisions coupled with the enhanced reporting mechanisms with international human rights organizations, and Morocco's continued commitment to open access regarding human rights issues, indicate the serious and credible approach that Morocco has adopted,” the US congressmen underlined.

    They urged the US Secretary of State to support the Moroccan approach at the US Security Council and “continue to strengthen and broaden our relationship with Morocco.”