UK reaffirms human rights commitment in Western Sahara talks with Morocco

The British government has recently clarified its position on human rights in Western Sahara in response to a parliamentary inquiry. Conservative MP Blake Stephenson questioned the government about discussions with Morocco regarding the protection of Sahrawi rights.

In his reply, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Hamish Falconer, affirmed that «The UK remains committed to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, including in Morocco and Western Sahara. Officials, including up to Ambassador level regularly engage on these issues with the Moroccan Government and authorities accordingly».

He further recalled that «in the UK-Morocco joint communiqué, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on human rights, our support for the principle of respect for self-determination and the intention to hold a third session of the UK-Morocco Human Rights dialogue before the end of 2025».

Falconer also welcomed «Morocco's stated commitment to further detail and willingness to engage in good faith with all relevant parties, to expand on details of what autonomy within the Moroccan State could entail for the region, with a view to restarting serious negotiations on terms acceptable to the parties».

It is worth noting that just a few weeks earlier, in response to a written question from MP Ben Lake, Falconer had emphasized that «human rights are a core element of our ongoing dialogue with Morocco. During the second informal UK-Morocco human rights dialogue, held in Rabat on April 30, 2024, we discussed shared concerns including freedom of expression, women's empowerment, media freedom, and judicial reforms».