Footage of this protest yesterday in El Aaiun was taken two hours after the European Parliament consented to the EU-Morocco fisheries protocol, which allows for EU fishing in occupied Western Sahara. The people of Western Sahara have not been asked for their approval.
Footage of this protest yesterday in El Aaiun was taken two hours after the European Parliament consented to the EU-Morocco fisheries protocol, which allows for EU fishing in occupied Western Sahara. The people of Western Sahara have not been asked for their approval.
The demonstrations were held in relation to the International Day of Human Rights, but at the same time were aimed against the EU's decision to go fish in Saharawi waters through a deal with the occupying force, Morocco.
The weekend before the vote in the European Parliament, the Saharawis had also taken to the streets to denounce the inclusion of their waters, while they themselves were excluded from the negotiations leading to the protocol. Find videos and photos of those protests here.
Scroll further down for footage of the arrest of six Spanish citizens who took part in yesterday's protest.
Arrest of activists from Canary Islands
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 Court reaffirms position on Western Sahara
Polisario has a case, but it should be pursued when the time is right, Court implies.
European Parliament disregards Court and adopts Morocco fish deal
Notwithstanding four consecutive rulings of the EU's highest Court calling such a practice illegal, the European Parliament has just now voted in favour of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement that will be applied to the waters of occupied Western Sahara.