Skip to main content

Danish members of parliament call the Minister of Foreign Affairs for a debate in the parliament related to the illegal investments in Western Sahara.

Submitted on

Copenhagen (Denmark) March 25, 2016 (SPS) – In joint Press release issued, Tuesday by three Danish Members of Parliament have called their Minister of Foreign Affairs for a debate in the parliament related to the illegal investments in Western Sahara.
 
The Press release was released in the same day that Afrika Kontakt Organisation has published a report showing that Danish banks and pension funds invest in companies involved in the exploitation of natural resources of Western Sahara.
 
Western Sahara is still occupied by Morocco, and it is contrary to international law exploiting natural resources from occupied territories.
The report acknowledges several banks and pension funds that they are aware that the investments are problematic.
 
In 2014, Danish Parliament approved a report in which it pointed out the problems with investments in Western Sahara.
 
The Danish members of Parliament; Mr. Magni Arge Tjodveldi, Faroe Islands, Mr. Rasmus Nordqvist, alternative Party and Christian Juhl, Red-Green Alliance Party, said:
“ It is unusual that Danish banks and pension continue investment activities in Western Sahara, while it is contrary to UN resolutions and the Danish Parliamentary recommendations of 2014.”
 
“ Evidence suggests that there is a need to tighten the Parliamentary recommendations up, so there is no doubt among investors and businesses about activities in Western Sahara”
 
“We therefore call Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen in Parliament in the form of a parliamentary debate, and in this context seek the adoption of clearer guidelines.” (SPS)
 
062/090