Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
628. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in May 2017 the human rights situation in Morocco will be examined in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review; if Ireland will take part in the session; and if Ireland will raise Morocco’s continued violation of human rights in Western Sahara and its refusal to hold a referendum on independence in the country. [19535/17]
View answerIreland is participating in the 27th Universal Periodic Review which began yesterday, and will make a statement on the human rights situation in Morocco when it is reviewed today.
Ireland has consistently supported the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Ireland has not taken a position on the future status of the territory, so long as that status is decided in a genuine exercise of self-determination.
Ireland raised Western Sahara in the last UPR review of Morocco in 2012, recommending that Morocco “Give particular attention to all measures to improve the human rights situation in Western Sahara, in particular develop and implement independent and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights and guaranteeing such basic rights as freedom of association and expression”. Morocco accepted Ireland’s recommendation and we look forward to examining the progress made since 2012 during the current UPR review process.
