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While the highest Court of the EU has stipulated that no trade arrangement with Morocco can be applied to Western Sahara, the EU Commission this month visited the occupied territory to update the list of companies authorised to export their products to the EU.

Published 20 December 2017
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WSRW has again asked Siemens to clarify how they’ve obtained the consent of the people of Western Sahara to their involvement in literally all of Morocco’s wind power plans in the occupied territory.

Published 07 December 2017
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For a third consecutive year, Morocco has spent most of the EU’s fisheries sectoral support on further developing the fishing industry in occupied Western Sahara – with the explicit approval of the Union.

Published 05 December 2017
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Fresh leaks from international tax-havens provide more information about who is behind the Glencore oil operations in occupied Western Sahara.

Published 21 November 2017
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While Morocco presses on with its renewable energy projects in occupied Western Sahara, the EU's Foreign Affairs Chief has clarified that the EU will not provide any financial contributions.

Published 21 November 2017
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Even more wind farms are being planned in occupied Western Sahara, and all of them are in the portfolio of the Moroccan monarch's company NAREVA.

Published 31 October 2017
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“I think this incident should alert people about these EU-Morocco trade negotiations on products from Western Sahara: they are not transparent at all”, says Jytte Guteland, socialist Euro-parliamentarian from Sweden.

Published 31 October 2017
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Morocco and Siemens press on with their plans to generate energy in the human rights black-spot that is Western Sahara: the first controversial wind farm near Boujdour is expected to be operational in December 2018, built by a UK company.

Published 30 October 2017
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Over the past 24 hours, WSRW has observed a resumed seabed exploration north of Dakhla, in the block operated by American oil company Kosmos Energy in collaboration with Scotland's Cairn Energy.

Published 26 October 2017
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Both the EU and Morocco seem keen conclude the negotiations to keep occupied Western Sahara within the territorial scope of their bilateral trade deal - in spite of a judgment by the EU's highest Court ruling this out.

Published 24 October 2017
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Opposition referred to the inclusion of Western Sahara, which they say renders the deal illegal under EU law.

Published 24 October 2017
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For the umpteenth time, the EU's self-contradiction in relation to Western Sahara surfaces.

Published 23 October 2017
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Finnish energy company Wärtsilä has struck a deal with the Moroccan government to supply a power plant to Dakhla - a town located well outside of Morocco, and inside occupied Western Sahara.

Published 11 October 2017
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... precisely in the territory that the highest Court of the European Union considers "distinct and separate" from Morocco.

Published 09 October 2017
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The EU Commission puts the trade flow from Western Sahara into the Union at "just €7000" for the entire year of 2016. "Beggars belief", WSRW states.

Published 27 September 2017
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Sweden is known for paying lip-service to Saharawi self-determination, but is it putting its money where its mouth is? Check out our newly published report on Sweden's involvement in the taking of occupied Western Sahara's natural resources.

Published 27 September 2017
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"Seeking to circumvent the ECJ’s ruling, directly challenges the credibility of the EU, and significantly damages the potential for progress through the UN-led negotiation process", Saharawi groups qualify the EU's talks with Morocco regarding Western Sahara trade, in their letter to the EU's Foreign Affairs Chief.

Published 01 September 2017
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Verdict comes after years of accusations that the trials were politically motivated, imprisoning activists who stood up against Morocco's social and economic deprivation of Saharawis.

Published 19 July 2017
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The Moroccan state company OCP has decided to drop defending the detained conflict mineral cargo in South Africa. The Saharawi people thus won a 5 million USD walk-over victory before the trial over phosphate rock ownership even had begun.
Published 13 July 2017
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While the German industrial mastodon has no problems in delivering turbines to the area of Western Sahara that is under Moroccan occupation, it goes out of its way to distance itself from similar deliveries to Crimea.
Published 10 July 2017

The Moroccan government has today initiated draft regulations aimed at incorporating the waters of Western Sahara into its own territorial waters.

Published 06 July 2017
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“We call on the EU to abide by the judgment of its own Supreme Court, and to cease all trade talks regarding Western Sahara with the occupying state, Morocco. As a champion for rule of law and human rights, the EU should respect the rights of the Saharawi people and negotiate trade in goods from Western Sahara with their representatives, the Polisario Front.” 

SIGN THE PETITION HERE!

 

Published 05 July 2017
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The private owned Chinese company China Great United Petroleum (Holding) Limited could be close to taking over controversial rights to onshore oil exploration in occupied Western Sahara.
Published 02 July 2017
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Sand exports from occupied Western Sahara to Spain continue unabated.

Published 30 June 2017
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Morocco has started the construction of large solar industry infrastructure in the part of Western Sahara that it is illegally occupying.
Published 30 June 2017
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In a statement today, the Saharawi government alerts the shipping industry of the risk involved in taking part of the plunder of Western Sahara.
Published 21 June 2017
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The Isle of Man shipping company LT Ugland stated to media today that it will not undertake further shipments from Western Sahara to New Zealand.

Published 20 June 2017
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A new report published by WSRW today reveals the names of around 100 shipping companies behind the transport of phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara in 2016 and 2017.

Published 16 June 2017
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A panel of judges in the High Court in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, judged this morning that the cargo on board the vessel NM Cherry Blossom is rightfully detained, and that a trial to determine its ownership is to take place.
Published 15 June 2017
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One of the largest Swedish financial groups today announced they are kicking out four clients of Western Sahara phosphates from its portfolios, including the two leading Canadian importers.
Published 12 June 2017
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The Swedish shipping company Wisby Tankers continues its transports of petroleum products into the occupied territory of Western Sahara at same level as earlier, but a new vessel has started on the route.
Published 12 June 2017
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The Swedish company Atlas Copco this week amended its statement on the company's involvement in occupied Western Sahara, but it refuses to further clarify its plans.
Published 06 June 2017
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The deal on Glencore's departure from the Foum Ognit oil exploration block was signed already in January.
Published 02 June 2017
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The New Zealand farmer-owned cooperative Ballance Agri-Nutrients is taking in another dirty cargo of phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara while the vessel NM Cherry Blossom is detained by a court in South Africa.
Published 01 June 2017
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The UN business ethics body Global Compact has decided to not go further on the case of controversial French-UK-Moroccan company since the UN body's intervention had leaked to media.
Published 30 May 2017
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About thirty persons gathered at the docks of Palma de Mallorca to protest the unloading of sand from occupied Western Sahara.

Published 30 May 2017
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Today, the EU Commission will answer questions from EU Parliamentarians about its plans to negotiate a trade arrangement for Western Sahara, with Morocco - the country that occupies the territory. Such an agreement is not legal, according to European top court. The Commission’s trade plans are kept away from public scrutiny.
Published 30 May 2017
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The Ultra Innovation left the port of Panama City on 21 May, and is currently heading towards Vancouver. The dispute over the ownership of the cargo could still be pending court case.
Published 24 May 2017
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The South African court that is deciding on the ownership of a detained phosphate rock shipment from occupied Western Sahara, has set a date for its judgment.

Published 18 May 2017
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For the second time this month, a vessel carrying conflict minerals from occupied Western Sahara has been detained by a national court. This time: the Danish vessel Ultra Innovation heading to Canada.

Published 18 May 2017
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The EU Commission is now seeking the EU member states approval to brush aside the judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU, by negotiating a new agreement with Morocco for trade with occupied Western Sahara.

Published 11 May 2017
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The biggest international company currently present in occupied Western Sahara is ending its operations in the territory, according to Swiss media.
Published 11 May 2017
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The company which hardly ever responds to concerns over their imports of conflict phosphates from occupied Western Sahara has now started talking.

Published 04 May 2017

This film was shot in Gibraltar shortly before arriving occupied Western Sahara.

Published 04 May 2017
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A bulk vessel was Tuesday this week detained in the South African port of Port Elizabeth for carrying phosphate rock plundered from occupied Western Sahara.

Published 03 May 2017
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The Italian renewable energy corporation Enel Green Energy evades questions by civil society about its operations on occupied land.

Published 03 May 2017
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Several UN Member States have today recommended Morocco to hold the long-overdue referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara.
Published 02 May 2017
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This week, the parliament of Galicia demanded full suspension of trade and corporate complicity in the exploitation of natural resources in Western Sahara. Galicia is only one among many.
Published 29 April 2017
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And a second consignment is apparently on its way.
Published 27 April 2017
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“We have no other choice than to set up a second Gdeim Izik protest camp”, disenfranchised Saharawi protesters say.
Published 26 April 2017
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Irish/UK oil company San Leon Energy's work in occupied Western Sahara is delayed, and the company claims to the Moroccan government that it is due to "regional security situation".

Published 26 April 2017
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Over 200 million dollars worth of phosphate rock was shipped out of occupied Western Sahara last year, a new report from WSRW shows. For the first time, India is among the top importers.

Published 25 April 2017
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121 days have passed since WSRW inquired into Vigeo Eiris's certification of Morocco's energy projects in occupied Western Sahara. The firm, which advises investors on matters human rights, now states that seeking Saharawi consent is irrelevant.
Published 23 April 2017
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The seismic study programme of Kosmos Energy and Cairn Energy offshore occupied Western Sahara ended on 12 April.
Published 15 April 2017
A captain which had been protesting over many months against corruption in the fishing industry in Dakhla on 30 March carried out his threat of self-immolation.
Published 11 April 2017
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The biggest purchaser of phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara has said its purchase agreement is only a temporary solution, and that it hopes to find phosphate rock elsewhere.
Published 11 April 2017
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The national liberation movement of Western Sahara has sent a protest letter to the Texas based company Kosmos Energy, that explores for oil offshore the waters of occupied Western Sahara for the Moroccan government.
Published 31 March 2017
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The US company FMC Corp has confirmed to WSRW that it has sold 33,3 percent ownership in the Venezuelan company Tripoliven which imports phosphates from Western Sahara. Now it is all Venezuelan.

Published 30 March 2017
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Last week, a group of around 60 unemployed Saharawis hi-jacked a bus from Phosboucraa, to voice their protest against the Moroccan-owned company's exploitation of occupied Western Sahara's phosphate mine.

Published 28 March 2017
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Kosmos and Cairn Energy are exploring for oil offshore Western Sahara, occupied by Morocco. This photo taken yesterday shows one of their supply vessels.

Published 28 March 2017
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Morocco has started using its phosphate resources to expand influence on the African continent. The phosphate rock could have been central in the country’s accession to the African Union.
Published 24 March 2017
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Kosmos Energy and Cairn Energy have over the last weeks undertaken another round of seismic studies offshore Western Sahara. The vessels' movements indicate the location for a new possible drilling site.
Published 23 March 2017
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The Peace and Security Council of the African Union this week asked its new member, Morocco, to not carry out further exploration and exploitation of the natural resources in Western Sahara.

Published 23 March 2017
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A note sent from French government to the French parliamentarians in Brussels today casts doubts on whether France has studied the judgment at all. Debate on live TV takes place now.

Published 20 March 2017
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The Spanish government in a statement yesterday confirmed the EU court's judgement that Western Sahara goods are not covered by the EU-Morocco trade deal. Spain states it is up to France to make sure the controversial trade of fish oil from 'Key Bay' vessel was properly tariffed.

Published 17 March 2017
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The Moroccan government has opened for a relatively large tender in Dakhla.

Published 17 March 2017
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This is how you order the book "The European Union Approach Towards Western Sahara".

Published 16 March 2017
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Fertilizers exported by Morocco contains dangerous levels of the heavy metal cadmium. Morocco now tries to prevent the EU from implementing regulations to limit the carcinogenic element.
Published 10 March 2017
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A declaration from the parliament of the Basque Country asked its companies to stay away from the occupied territory.
Published 08 March 2017
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The UK-French company Vigeo Eiris advising investors on the occupations of Palestine and Crimea is facilitating the Moroccan government’s energy projects in occupied Western Sahara. The ethical investor community is baffled. Read all here.
Published 03 March 2017
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The Swiss company is undertaking more seismic studies and has entered into a renewed contract on a neighbouring block, offshore the occupied territory.

Published 15 February 2017
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The company which has certified Moroccan energy projects in occupied Western Sahara applies an ever stronger Moroccan terminology on the Western Sahara issue than before. WSRW still seeks answers to its questions.
Published 14 February 2017

Why does Siemens not seek the consent of the Saharawis to operate on their land? At the company's Annual Shareholders Meeting, the company failed to answer.

Published 13 February 2017
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The second confirmed shipment of products from Western Sahara into the EU is a fact. Destination: Normandy, France.

Published 10 February 2017
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The exports of salt from Western Sahara to Denmark has now stopped. The Danish salt importer Dansk Vejsalt has declared that it will no longer be importing de-icing salt from the occupied territory.
Published 09 February 2017
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The European Commission recognizes the importance of respecting "the separate and distinct status of the territory of Western Sahara" when considering energy imports from Morocco.
Published 02 February 2017
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Upon arrival to Ghent, Belgium, tomorrow, the controversial vessel Key Bay - transporting fish oil from Western Sahara into the EU - will be empty.
Published 25 January 2017
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The vessel carrying fish oil from occupied Western Sahara into the European Union seems to have unloaded some, but not all, of its cargo in Fécamp, France.
Published 24 January 2017
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Beautiful images of a vessel with an ugly cargo; fish oil taken illegally from an occupied land; the Key Bay in the port of Fécamp.

Published 24 January 2017
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This morning, the Key Bay tanker delivered a shipment of fish oil from occupied Western Sahara to France. But why does that potentially violate EU regulations?
Published 23 January 2017
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The vessel carrying fish oil from occupied Western Sahara is about to enter its port of destination, after a delay of at least two days.
Published 22 January 2017
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On 20 January at 5 PM, the vessel Key Bay is set to arrive in the north of France. Polisario is filing complaints vis-a-vis French and EU authorities, asking them to act.
Published 18 January 2017
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The vessel carrying fish oil from occupied Western Sahara into the EU is at present entering the harbour of Las Palmas.

Published 14 January 2017
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After a long stay-over in Mauritania, the chemical tanker 'Key Bay' is now on its way to the EU with fish oil from occupied Western Sahara. First stop: Las Palmas.
Published 14 January 2017
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Photos and video shows Key Bay inside the port of El Aaiun in occupied Western Sahara, loading fish oil.

Published 07 January 2017
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Two weeks have passed since the Court of Justice of the EU decided that Western Sahara products cannot be part of EU-Morocco trade deal. A vessel is now to transport fish oil from the occupied territory, most probably to France.
Published 06 January 2017
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Key Bay is this evening picking up fish oil in the occupied territory of Western Sahara, to transport to the EU. See photos here.

Published 06 January 2017
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Irish oil company San Leon confirms that an unknown Chinese investor is sniffing on a majority stake in the company. San Leon is looking for oil in occupied Western Sahara, in violation of international law.

Published 04 January 2017