Question

1. David Miliband, My questions refer to the possibility of the EU offering an "Advanced Status" to Morocco.
   
   Morocco continues to illegally occupy a large section of the Western Sahara. This is in violation of over 100 UN resolutions which acknowledge the Saharawi people's right to a self-determination referendum, and the International Court of Justice ruling that Morocco's claims to the territory are unfounded. The Moroccan Authorities take a heavy-handed approach to the Saharawis who campaign by peaceful means for self-determination. Hundreds are imprisoned without a fair trial, and face years enduring the most horrific forms of torture. These human rights abuses are well documented by NGOs such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Firstly, therefore, I would like to know if - in your opinion - Morocco's track record on human rights warrants the award of an "Advanced Status" ?
   
   So far, 155 international organisations from 26 different countries have called on the EU not to grant Morocco "Advanced Status" unless the Western Sahara is excluded from the Agreement (see http://www.upes.org/body1_eng.asp?field=sosio_eng&id=1312 for a list of the organisations). Will Britain be actively encouraging the EU to comply with International Law in this case, (it failed to do so with respect to the 2006 EU - Morocco Fishing Agreements , which have allowed EU countries such as Spain to plunder the fisheries of occupied Western Sahara, without Saharawi consent)?
   Asked by geordie on Nov 17 2008 9:27:43 AM and supported by 28 members
2. 28