Western Sahara: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Moroccan counterpart on Morocco's refusal to allow a visit to Western Sahara by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since January 2016.
Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer
The UK remains committed to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, including in Morocco and Western Sahara. Officials, including up to Ambassador level regularly engage on these issues with the Moroccan Government and authorities accordingly. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Morocco in June, the joint-communique of the Strategic Dialogue reaffirmed both countries commitment to cooperate on issues of human rights and the intention to hold a third session of the UK-Morocco Human Rights dialogue before the end of 2025. The UK has also supported language in UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including through cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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