Adala UK strongly condemns the recent article published by Condé Nast Traveler on 2 June 2025, titled “Qué ver en Dakhla, Marruecos: el paraíso del kitesurf” (“What to see in Dakhla, Morocco: the kitesurfing paradise”). The article repeatedly refers to the city of Dakhla as being located in “southern Morocco,” completely disregarding the internationally recognised status of Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under illegal Moroccan occupation.

Dakhla is not in Morocco. It lies in Western Sahara, a territory that remains on the United Nations’ list of non-self-governing territories and whose people—the Saharawis—have the right to self-determination, as recognised by numerous UN resolutions.

By promoting Dakhla as a Moroccan tourist destination, Condé Nast not only spreads misinformation, but also whitewashes an ongoing military occupation marked by grave human rights abuses. Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara has never been recognised by the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, or the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The ECJ, in several landmark rulings (2016, 2018, 2021), has reaffirmed that Morocco has no sovereignty or legal jurisdiction over Western Sahara. These rulings make clear that any agreements or commercial activity in the territory must have the explicit consent of the Saharawi people, not that of the Moroccan government.

Tourism campaigns that ignore these legal and ethical realities risk becoming tools of propaganda that normalise occupation and help sustain a system of repression. In Dakhla and other parts of occupied Western Sahara, Saharawi civilians face systemic discrimination, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression and movement. Adala UK has collected hundreds of testimonies from victims and families affected by such violations.

In response to the article, Adala UK has sent a formal letter to the editorial board of Condé Nast Traveler, urging them to correct the false designation of Dakhla as part of Morocco and to adhere to international legal standards when reporting on Western Sahara. As a respected international publication, Condé Nast has a responsibility to ensure its reporting is accurate and does not mislead readers or contribute to the erasure of the Saharawi people’s struggle for self-determination.

The article makes no mention of the disputed or occupied status of the territory, instead portraying Dakhla as a thriving Moroccan tourist hub complete with luxury resorts, wellness clinics, and fusion cuisine. This framing completely ignores the political context and the legal reality on the ground.

We call on all international media outlets, businesses, and civil society organisations to respect international law, recognise the distinct legal status of Western Sahara, and avoid contributing to Morocco’s unlawful claims over the territory.

The Saharawi people continue to demand their fundamental right to self-determination, and Adala UK remains committed to advocating for justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Western Sahara.

For more information on the legal status of Western Sahara and human rights violations in the occupied territory, or to read the full letter sent to Condé Nast Traveler, please visit: [www.adalauk.org].

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