Oslo (Norway), May 10, 2024 (SPS) - The University of Oslo hosted a conference on the Western Sahara issue, organized by law students and the Norwegian Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People.
The conference was attended by the representative of the Polisario Front in Norway, Ms. Sunia Bashir, the representative of the Polisario Front in Geneva and international organizations, Mr. Ubi Bushraya Bashir, as well as members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Oslo, in addition to students and professors from the university. It provided an opportunity to present and discuss the different aspects of the Western Saharan issue, particularly in light of the awaited European Court of Justice decision.
Ambassador Abi Bushraya Bashir delivered a historical and legal presentation on the Western Sahara issue, including the positions of international organizations and neighboring countries regarding the conflict and the threat posed by Moroccan expansion to the security and stability of the region.
He also addressed the context of the just struggle of the Sahrawi people, framed by international legitimacy, which considers free, democratic, and fair exercise of self-determination through a popular referendum as the only way to settle colonialism. It should be noted that human rights violations in Western Sahara are directly linked to the violation of the fundamental right to self-determination.
Manuel Devers, a lawyer for the Polisario Front, presented an overview of the legal developments within the European Court of Justice since 2012 until today, focusing on the most important decision that forms the cornerstone of the European legal framework regarding Western Sahara. This decision was issued in December 2016 and made the consultation of the Sahrawi people through their legitimate and sole representative, the Polisario Front, a prerequisite for any partnership related to the resources of Western Sahara.
The lawyer emphasized the importance of the gains achieved in this context, anticipating a new positive decision from the European Court of Justice, affirming that the agreements signed between the European Union and Morocco are used by Morocco to finance its military occupation of Western Sahara and encourage its settlement project in the region. The lawyer highlighted the similarities between the Palestinian and Sahrawi issues, particularly in terms of sovereignty over resources and the issue of settlement products, where both occupiers manipulate the decisions of international courts, including European courts, by labeling products from the occupied territories as coming from Israel or Morocco.
Professor Mads from the University of Oslo provided an overview of the legal principles of the conflict and emphasized the right to self-determination under international law, African law, and European law, discussing various relevant international decisions.
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