London, Feb 25, 2013 (SPS) - Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW) asked Monday the Danish company “Danske Vejsal” to stop importing salt of Western Sahara for the treatment of road works in winter, according to a statement published on its website.
“Danish winter roads must not be de-iced at the expense of human rights violations. Danske Vejsalt must immediately stop its purchase from the occupied territories,” stated Morten Nielsen of Afrika Kontakt.
“The trade is violating international law, and it contributes to finance Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara,” added the statement, urging all Danish municipalities to not purchase road salt from the company unless they can prove it is not of Western Sahara origin.
Roads in Denmark are de-iced with salt from a mine located in Oum Dbaa in Western Sahara, added the ONG.
The Danish company Dansk Vejsalt confirmed to Western Sahara Resource Watch’s member in Denmark, Afrika Kontakt, that they are purchasing up to 24.000 tonnes of salt from El Aauin, Western Sahara.
“The salt industry in occupied Western Sahara has just started and the export from Western Sahara taking place to Denmark this week is the first export we have documented to this day”, stated Erik Hagen, chair of Western Sahara Resource Watch. (SPS)
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