Written question asked by Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 11 June 2014, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 June 2014. It was answered by Baroness Warsi (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 June 2014 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Western Sahara

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what efforts they are making in respect of Morocco's international human rights obligations in regard to the citizens of Western Sahara; and what steps they have taken in respect of neutralising the Moroccan wall and associated weaponry.[HL263]

Answer

We encourage concrete progress towards improving human rights in Western Sahara in discussions with the parties to the dispute over the territory, and at the UN Security Council. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Mr Robertson), discussed human rights in Western Sahara during his visit to Morocco in March. We welcome Morocco’s recent commitments to investigate complaints of human rights violations made to the National Council for Human Rights within three months, and to end military tribunal trials for civilians.

Demining teams from the UN peacekeeping operation in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the Moroccan Army and Polisario continue to co-operate to clear unexploded ordnance on both sides of the Moroccan wall.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL263; 754 c84WA
Session: 2014-15
Subjects: Bomb disposal Human rights Morocco Western Sahara
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Western Sahara

Secondary information

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