Brussels, 01/07/2015 (SPS) .- WSRW warns industry to not fall into a new trap of Lemsid onshore, located in its entirety in the territory that Morocco is illegally occupying, south of the capital city of Western Sahara, El Aaiún.
“Several seismic survey companies have deeply regretted their involvement in the occupied Western Sahara over the last decade. Now, Morocco is trying to partner with yet another one - this time onshore. WSRW warns industry to not fall into the trap. The new controversial block, Lemsid, is located in its entirety in the territory that Morocco is illegally occupying, south of the capital city of Western Sahara, El Aaiún. ” said WSRW.
WSRW remembered that “No state in the word, nor the United Nations, recognise this territory as part of Morocco. No reference in the tender documents mentions that the area is located outside of the internationally recognised borders of Morocco, nor does it refer to the legal rights of the people of the territory of Western Sahara”.
"Companies planning to take part in the plunder of Western Sahara's resources must take into account the possibility for legal consequences. Western Sahara Resource Watch calls on all companies to not engage in the Lemsid block, or any other petroleum exploration in Western Sahara until a solution to the conflict has been found. Any oil exploration in Western Sahara taking place in violation of the wishes and the rights of the Saharawis, will only lead to a further entrenchment of the Moroccan position, and will undermine the talks for a solution to the conflict", stated Erik Hagen, campaigner in Western Sahara Resource Watch.
Further exploration of the hydrocarbons are in violation of international law as long as the people of Western Sahara do not consent to it. This was the main conclusion of a legal opinion of the United Nation's Legal Office on behalf of the UN Security Council. SPS
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