Military presence of Morocco in Western Sahara

3.2.2017

Question for written answer E-000815-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Judith Sargentini (Verts/ALE) , Bodil Valero (Verts/ALE) , Max Andersson (Verts/ALE) , Jakop Dalunde (Verts/ALE) , Klaus Buchner (Verts/ALE) , Paloma López Bermejo (GUE/NGL) , João Ferreira (GUE/NGL) , Takis Hadjigeorgiou (GUE/NGL) , Rina Ronja Kari (GUE/NGL) , Stelios Kouloglou (GUE/NGL) , Lola Sánchez Caldentey (GUE/NGL) , Patrick Le Hyaric (GUE/NGL) , Javier Nart (ALDE)

The EU and its Member States have never recognised the sovereignty of Morocco over Western Sahara. In Case C-104/16 P Council vs Front Polisario of 21 December 2016, the Court of Justice of the European Union rejected the Commission’s argument that Morocco is the ‘de facto administering power’ of Western Sahara.

Can the Commission clarify what the status is, under international law, of the military presence of Morocco in Western Sahara?

Can the Commission confirm that both human rights law and international humanitarian law apply to the situation in Western Sahara and hence to the activities of Moroccan actors and entities?

How has the Commission applied the EU Guidelines on International Humanitarian Law to the situation in Western Sahara?

[Question supported by Members other than the author(s)[1]]

• [1] Question supported by Miguel Viegas (GUE/NGL), João Pimenta Lopes (GUE/NGL).