Tell the UK: Western Sahara’s Future Must Be Decided by Its People, Write to Your MP
Join Adala UK in urging the British Government to reverse its recent endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan and to reaffirm support for the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination.
Background
Adala UK is a British human rights organisation committed to documenting and raising awareness of violations against the Saharawi people under Moroccan occupation in Western Sahara. We work in close partnership with Saharawi human rights defenders to bring first-hand evidence of repression to public attention and to advocate for justice through international legal and diplomatic channels.
In April 2025, the UK Government announced a troubling shift in policy, expressing support for Morocco’s 2007 “autonomy proposal” as the “most credible, viable and pragmatic basis” for resolving the conflict in Western Sahara.
This new position marks a significant departure from decades of UK and United Nations policy, which have consistently supported a political process that includes the Saharawi people’s right to determine their own future—including the option of independence.
Why This Matters
Violation of International Law
The UK’s support for Morocco’s plan directly contradicts Article 1 of the UN Charter, numerous UN resolutions, and the 1975 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, all of which affirm the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination.
Undermining the UN Peace Process
By aligning with one side of the dispute, the UK undermines the credibility of the UN-led negotiations, which were designed to deliver a fair and democratic referendum on the territory’s final status.
Inconsistent with UK Policy Elsewhere
The UK has upheld the right to self-determination for the people of Scotland, Gibraltar, and the Falkland Islands. It is unacceptable to deny the same principle to the Saharawi people under Moroccan occupation.
A Dangerous Global Precedent
If geopolitical interests override international law in Western Sahara, it weakens the UK’s ability to defend its own territorial positions and opens the door to selective, politically motivated applications of international norms.
Our Demands
We call on Members of Parliament and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to:
- Reaffirm the UK’s support for a UN-led political process that includes a legally recognised right to self-determination for the Saharawi people.
- Withdraw explicit endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan until a credible and inclusive referendum has been held.
- Support the establishment of an independent human rights monitoring mechanism in Western Sahara.
- Advocate for renewed diplomatic engagement, including the appointment of a new UN envoy with a clear mandate and timetable for resolution.
Take Action: Write to Your MP
Your voice can make a difference. We encourage all supporters to write to their local MPs and urge them to raise this issue in Parliament.
If you are unsure who your MP is, visit www.theyworkforyou.com to find their contact details.
Sample Message:
Dear [MP’s Name],
I am writing as your constituent to express concern about the UK Government’s recent position on Western Sahara. In April 2025, the Government endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan despite the fact that the Saharawi people have not been granted their UN-mandated right to a referendum on self-determination.
This position contradicts the principles of international law and the UK’s own approach to self-determination in other regions such as Scotland, Gibraltar, and the Falkland Islands.
I urge you to raise this issue with the Foreign Secretary and to support a return to a neutral, UN-led process that includes the option of independence for Western Sahara.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sign the Petition
We, the undersigned, call on the UK Government to uphold international law and human rights by reversing its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan and reaffirming the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination through a democratic process.
Stay Connected
- Follow us on Twitter: @AdalaUK
- Share this campaign on social media
- Encourage your networks, unions, academic institutions or local councils to endorse our call
For media enquiries, endorsements or further information, please contact:
📧 info@adalauk.org
Let us stand together for justice, dignity, and the fundamental rights of all peoples to freely determine their future.