VP/HR — Human rights violations in Laayoune, Western Sahara

22.7.2019

Question for written answer E-002385-19
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 138
Miguel Urbán Crespo (GUE/NGL)

During celebrations of Algeria’s victory in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on 19 July, Sabah Osman Hamida, a young Sahrawi woman, was killed and dozens more were injured in a brutal crackdown by Moroccan security forces who went so far as to use live rounds against Sahrawi civilians. Dozens more people have been arrested (including two children), and the whereabouts of some of them are unknown.

The absence of a genuine legal system and the failure to protect the Sahrawi people’s human rights represent a serious threat to the UN-led peace process as well as to peace and stability in the region more generally.

1. Will the VP/HR ask the Moroccan Government to explain its recent actions and put an end to human rights abuses in Western Sahara?

2. Will support be given to the EU institutions empowering MINURSO to uphold international law and human rights in Western Sahara?

3. Given that they contain binding human rights clauses, will trade agreements with the Kingdom of Morocco be suspended?