"If the Commission does not immediately stop the EU's fishing off Western Sahara, Parliament must take its own solemn words and seriously threaten the Commission with a vote of no confidence", stated Danish MEP.
Copenhagen, February 24th, 2010
Commenting on the European Parliament’s Legal Service report, which concluded that EU fisheries in occupied Western Sahara under its current shape are in violation of international law, Mr. Soren Sondergaard, Danish Member of the European Parliament and member Bureau of the Confederal Group of the European United left-Nordic Green left in the European Parliament said:
"It is a disgrace that the Union plunders an occupied country's natural resources. If the Commission does not immediately stop the EU's fishing off Western Sahara, Parliament must take its own solemn words and seriously threaten the Commission with a vote of no confidence", stated Mr. Sondergaard.
The Information Officer of Danish NGO Afrika Kontakt, Mr. Morten Nielsen with this regard said:
“The new Danish Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms. Lene Espersen should press for the amendment of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement so that, as a minimum is in accordance with International Conventions and the EU’s own regulations.”
Mr. Nielsen asked the Minister to make sure that no Danish fishing vessels are active in the occupied Western Sahara.
One of the richest coastlines in the world
The fish stocks of occupied Western Sahara have not only attracted the interest of the Moroccan fleet: other foreign interests are also fishing in the occupied waters through arrangements with Moroccan counterparts. Along the Western Saharan coastline, a processing industry has emerged.
The CJEU Court Cases
Keeping track of the many legal proceedings relating to Western Sahara is not easy. This page offers an overview of the cases concerning the territory that have been before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Tūhana human rights advisors ignore human rights
A consultancy hired to assess phosphate imports from occupied Western Sahara into New Zealand concludes there is no problem.
MEPs push back on Commission over Western Sahara in EU–Morocco trade
MEPs from across the political spectrum sharply criticised the European Commission over its handling of EU-Morocco trade relations covering occupied Western Sahara, raising concerns over legality, transparency and an apparent disregard for Parliament’s role.