Copenhagen (Denmark) 8 May 2016 (SPS) – The Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kristian Jensen responded Thursday to various questions raised to him recently by the member of Danish Parliament, Mr. Christian Juhl from the Red-Green Alliance Party through the Parliaments’ Foreign Affairs Committee related to the latest developments in occupied Western Sahara including; Morocco’s expulsion of 73 members of MINURSO political component, the urgency of MINURSO mandate to monitor human rights in the territory, European Justice Court annulment of EU-Morocco agriculture and fish products deal on the basis that it included occupied Western Sahara, human rights situation, Gdeim Izik group case and Morocco’s illegal occupation to Western Sahara.
The Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kristian Jensen response: “Western Sahara has in the UN status of non-self-governing territory.
On 29 April 2016 the UNSC adopted Resolution 2285, which extends the MINURSO mandate to 30 April 2017. The resolution regrets that MINURSO's ability to fully live up to its mandate, which has been affected since most of its civilian component including political personnel unable to perform their duties in MINURSO’s area of operation. The resolution also stresses the urgent need for MINURSO to return to its full functionality.
Denmark supports the Security Council extension of MINURSO and emphasizes that the mission will be able to fulfill its mandate to the fullest.
The best opportunity to achieve a peaceful negotiated solution between the parties lies with the UN. The government supports the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy Christopher Ross continued consultations with stakeholders in the region with a view to a resumption of direct negotiations between the parties.
There has long been discussion about getting human rights incorporated as part of the UN mission (MINURSO) mandate. The Danish Government supports this proposal.
Denmark regularly raises human rights issues in the ongoing bilateral dialogue with Morocco, including the relation to Western Sahara.
The government will await the final judgment by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) before taking a position.” (SPS)
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