One of the beneficial things about this writing competition is that I read the newspaper a little more closely than I did before. This inevitably leads to an increased awareness of who is doing what to whom, why they are doing it... and how should I react? Sometimes it can shine a light on one’s own politics. Sometimes it’s a mirror on one’s soul.
What do you know about Aminatou Haidar? Mmmm, I thought so. I suspect that, as for me yesterday morning, the answer is: “Nothing at all.” OK, here’s the background in brief. Western Sahara is a resource rich, but largely desert area annexed by Morocco when the Spanish colonialists moved out in 1975. The Sahrawi people are backed in their struggle for independence by Morocco’s neighbour, Algeria. Our islands have enough experience of independence struggles for you to fill in the gaps.
I will also trust the research about Aminatou Haidar’s disappearance, torture, imprisonment, receipt of 2008 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award and nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize to your own resources, but I think you get the picture.
Aminatou is known as Sahrawi Gandhi. Last Friday, on the way back from receiving a Civil Courage prize in the USA, she arrived at Laayoune airport, Western Sahara (or Morocco depending on your politics). Travelling on a Morrocan passport she completed the required customs forms in her own custom, declaring her address as Western Sahara.
Told that this place did not exist, she was stripped of her Moroccan passport and put on a flight out of the country to Lanzarote. For us, this might seem like an attractive option but she has gone on hunger strike, vowing to die rather than be kept from the homeland for which she seeks independence.
I couldn’t help reflect on the SNPs disappointing turnout in last week’s by-election. The Scots are a proud nation. Like 74% of the electorate, I voted yes in the devolution referendum. Depending on the prevailing conditions and what day you catch me, I may even vote for independence. But torture, imprisonment or being disappeared? I think not. I certainly couldn’t see me, or Alex Salmond, going on hunger strike – to the death. I can’t think of any of my nationalist friends who would.
I had to ask, “How much do we really want independence? How important is it?” In our relatively cosy consumption-driven western existence, how many of us would be a Bruce or a Wallace, less still a pikeman in the front rank of a schiltron facing English cavalry in full charge. When confronted by the story and principled stand of Aminatou Haidar I realised that the key battleground of Scottish politics is, for most of us, really just a side issue. The comparative observation was a genuine revelation to me.
Having illuminated our politics, the story of Aminatou Haidar still shed enough light to see dimly into that mirror for my soul. The mirror hung, like the question, in front of me... So, for what would you go on hunger strike – to the death?
Bruce Fummey is a finalist in stv.tv's The Write Factor competition. The views expressed are not necessarily those of STV plc. If you would like to read more from this writer, use our comment system below.
Last updated: 19 November 2009, 19:52
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