Written question asked by Brian Leishman (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 April 2026. It was answered by Hamish Falconer (Labour) on Monday, 27 April 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Western Sahara: Self-determination of States

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will have discussions with her Moroccan counterpart on the suppression of protests and events supporting self-determination in occupied Western Sahara.

Answer: The UK remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, including in Morocco and Western Sahara, as we regularly make clear to all relevant parties. At the most recent UK-Morocco Human Rights Dialogue in November 2025, senior officials discussed areas of mutual interest, including freedom of expression. The UK has endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting solution of the Western Sahara conflict. We continue to engage with all relevant parties in support of the UN-led process to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 127407
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Demonstrations Morocco Western Sahara Self-determination of states
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk