During this period of conspicuous consumption campaigners in London will be gathering in Trafalgar Square for a candle-lit vigil to mark the end of the fourth week of a hunger strike by Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Aminatou Haidar.

Known as the 'African Gandhi', Aminatou Haidar has been on hunger strike in Lanzarote airport since being deported there from her home in Western Sahara on 15thNovember. On 13thNovember Haidar had flown back to Laayoune, the largest city in Western Sahara, from New York where she had picked up the Train Foundation's Civil Courage human rights award. On her arrival in Laayoune she wrote her address on her landing card as being in 'Western Sahara' rather than 'Morocco'. As a Saharawi she has never recognised Moroccan sovereignty over her native land which has been occupied by Morocco in breach of international law for over 34 years.

Today Hilary Clinton arrived in Madrid to discuss the issue with Spain’s Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos. Last week UN Secretary General Ban-Ki moon spoke with the Moroccan Foreign Minister and urged him to readmit Haidar. The European Union has also urged Morocco to “meet its human rights obligations.” However, time is running out for Haidar.

Stefan Simanowitz, Chair of the Free Western Sahara Network, said today:
“I would ask everyone to try and think back to what they ate a month ago on 14th November. Now try and imagine not having eaten a thing since then. It is now 28 days since food passed Aminaou Haidar's lips. Her death would be a tragic loss to the world and we are here tonight to show our solidarity with this brave woman and demand that our leaders to act together and act quickly to save her life. As political discussions take place around the world, Aminatou Haidar is on the brink of death. Sadly, biology knows nothing of politics.”

JOIN THE VIGIL TONIGHT
Candlelit vigil - 6 - 7.30pm next to Trafalgar Square, 14/12/09
Gather by the Edith Cavell Statue, St Martins Place (btw the National Portrait Gallery and St Martins in the Field).