EU plans to pay Morocco to fish offshore occupied Western Sahara. Saharawis are mobilising everywhere to prevent the scandal: in the refugee camps, in occupied territories and on social media.
Social media is currently boiling of frustration: Saharawis do not want to see the EU cooperate with Morocco in exploiting their fish. Statements by some European Parliamentarians that the Saharawis are going to benefit have been perceived provocative. First, Saharawis have never benefited from such deals in the past. Second, they have not asked if they want the deal to take place - which is a prerequisite for its legality.
The frustration of EU's plans has led to large mobilisation among the Saharawis:
- The morning of 3 December two Saharawi activists entered the "Casa de España" ("House of Spain") in occupied El Aaiún, carrying out a sit-in there to protest against Spain's position in the fisheries partnership agreement.
- 17 November, demonstrations took place in El Aaiun against the EU fisheries.
- Some 10.000 signatures where gathered by Saharawi youth in the refugee camps for a petition against the EU plans. Here are Abdalahi Mohamed and Abdelhai Fachel working to collect their protests to the EU:
- At several occasions have the refugees the last weeks protested, here in the Dakhla refugee camp:
EU Parliament to hold Western Sahara debates at committee level?
The European Parliament has expressed itself in favour of holding debates in three parliament committees about the exclusion of Western Sahara from EU-Morocco trade agreements.
Here is the EU Council's legal advice on fishing in occupied waters
Hans Corell criticizes EU fisheries in Western Sahara
The former Legal Counsel to the UN Security Counsel, Mr. Hans Corell, comments on the EU's fisheries activities in Western Sahara.
EU elections: how have candidates voted on occupied Western Sahara?
Are you casting your vote for the EU elections? Find here a complete overview of MEP candidates who have supported the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara in previous controversial votes. Choose wisely.