Several organizations and political parties in Spain, in solidarity with the Sahrawi people, have launched an awareness campaign concerning agricultural products originating from the occupied Western Sahara. These products are often marketed in European countries as ‘Moroccan,’ a practice the campaign aims to expose as a violation of international law.
The campaign highlights the implications of the existing trade agreement between Morocco and the European Union, particularly concerning what they describe as ‘commercial misrepresentation’ regarding the origin of goods from Western Sahara. Campaigners emphasize that the European Court of Justice has ruled that Morocco does not have sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The organizations involved are advocating for clear and accurate labeling of products from the region, specifying ‘Western Sahara’ as the country of origin, in accordance with international legal precedents. They condemn the current practice of labeling these products as ‘Moroccan,’ arguing that it contravenes established legal rulings.
The campaign organizers commend Spanish political parties that are defending the Spanish agricultural sector against what they consider unfair competition. They also support efforts to uphold international law and advocate for a self-determination referendum for the Sahrawi people.
According to a representative of the Polisario Front in Spain, the awareness campaign seeks to denounce the continued exploitation of the Sahrawi people’s resources. He stated that proper labeling is crucial for the Sahrawi people, as it allows them to gauge the extent of the resource exploitation. Furthermore, he added that it empowers European consumers to make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
The Polisario representative emphasized that this campaign aligns with other initiatives undertaken by the Polisario Front to safeguard the rights of the people of Western Sahara in light of the existing agreement between the European Union and Morocco. The campaign aims to raise awareness and promote ethical consumption. It also seeks to ensure that the origin of agricultural products is transparent and accurately represented.
