Results of the Second Round of Direct Talks (London Compromise Agreement on Outstanding Identification Issues)

• Country/entity

  Morocco
  Western Sahara
  
• Region

  Middle East and North Africa
  Middle East and North Africa
  
• Agreement name

  Results of the Second Round of Direct Talks (London Compromise Agreement on Outstanding Identification Issues)
• Date

  19 Jul 1997
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Western Sahara Conflict (1973 - 1991) )
• Stage

  Framework/substantive - partial
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Morocco-Western Sahara peace process
• Parties

  Morocco, Frente Polisario
• Third parties

  -
• Description

  Parties agreed not to sponsor or present for identification anyone from certain tribal groupings other than persons included in the 1974 Spanish census and immediate family members. Also agreed that persons from all other tribal groups could come forward to be identified, and that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General would notify the parties of the results of the identification process to date. Oral testimony to be received and considered by the Identification Commission as provided for in the settlement plan. Office of the UNHCR to begin steps toward process of repatriation of refugees in accordance with the settlement plan and parties agreed to cooperate in implementation of the repatriation programme.

• Agreement document

  MO_970719_LondonCompromise.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Annex I

Results of the second round of direct talks London, 19 and 20 July 1997

I. COMPROMISE AGREEMENT ON OUTSTANDING IDENTIFICATION ISSUES

1. The parties agree that they will not directly or indirectly sponsor or present for identification anyone from tribal groupings H41, H61 and J51/52 other than persons included in the Spanish census of 1974 and their immediate family members, but the parties shall not be obligated to actively prevent individuals from such tribal groupings from presenting themselves.

The parties agree that identification of such individuals who may present themselves shall proceed as soon as possible.

2. The parties agree that persons from all other tribal groups from census categories H, I and J may come forward to be identified.

3. The parties agree that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General shall notify the parties of the results by number, but not name, of the identification process to date.

4. The parties acknowledge that, from the time of the original settlement plan, they have understood that credible oral testimony to the Identification Commission would be required, and the parties agree that in the identification process oral testimony will be received and considered by the Identification Commission, as provided for in the settlement plan.

II. COMPROMISE ON OUTSTANDING REFUGEE ISSUES

The parties concur that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should begin the steps preparatory to the process of repatriation of refugees in accordance with the settlement plan.

In addition, they have agreed to cooperate with UNHCR in implementation of the reptatriation programme in accordance with UNHCR's normal practice and established principles of repatriation.