European Parliament conference demands Sahrawi self-determination
Experts and MEPs gathered in Brussels to discuss resource exploitation and tourism under occupation.
A conference at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday called for the decolonization of Western Sahara and demanded that the Sahrawi people be granted their right to self-determination, freedom, and independence. Participants warned of the consequences the prolonged conflict could have for regional security and stability. Oubbi Bouchraya stated, "The Sahrawi people will not renounce their right to self-determination and sovereignty over their natural resources."
The conference, titled "The exploitation of Sahrawi natural resources and tourism under occupation," was organized by the European Parliament's Intergroup on Solidarity with the Sahrawi People. Attendees, including MEPs, lawyers, and international law experts, recalled that the Sahrawi issue is a decolonization process on the UN agenda. They emphasized that the non-renewal of MINURSO's mandate does not absolve the UN of its responsibility to end the occupation.
The event also presented a report on tourism in occupied Dajla, detailing Morocco's continued exploitation of Sahrawi resources through illegal agreements with the EU, including Ryanair flights. The report highlights how tourism is used to legitimize economic occupation with foreign investment.
Why it mattersThe Sahrawi people are directly affected by the call for self-determination and the ongoing exploitation of their natural resources and territory.