Adala UK welcomes the recent decision by The Telegraph to publish a right of reply from the UK Representative of the Polisario Front, Mr. Sidi Breika, following a formal complaint submitted by our organisation. The response was issued in relation to an opinion piece published on 1 July 2025, authored by Robert Clark, which wrongly described the Polisario Front as a “terrorist organisation”—a serious mischaracterisation that contradicts the organisation’s internationally recognised legal and political status.

In our complaint, Adala UK stressed that such claims are not only factually incorrect, but dangerously distort the reality of the conflict in Western Sahara and undermine the legitimacy of a peaceful liberation movement recognised by the United Nations and the African Union. We also expressed concern that the article reflected narratives promoted by foreign lobbying efforts which aim to delegitimise the Saharawi people’s struggle for self-determination.

In response to our letter dated 7 July, The Telegraph informed us that they had engaged directly with the Polisario Front and had published a letter from its UK representative in the print edition of 8 July 2025. The same letter was also appended to the online version of the article. The paper’s editorial and legal department responded by stating: “Thank you for your email and letter of 7th July. We have in the meantime been engaging with the Polisario Front and have published a letter from them in today’s print edition… which is also reproduced at the bottom of the online article. We trust this meets your concerns.”

Adala UK views this development as a positive and responsible step, and we thank The Telegraph for granting the Polisario Front the opportunity to correct the public record. The published letter reiterates the movement’s long-standing commitment to peaceful resistance and its rejection of any alleged links to terrorist organisations. It also underscores the UN’s position that Morocco is the occupying power in Western Sahara, and that the Polisario Front is the legitimate representative of the Saharawi people.

As a civil society organisation working closely with the Saharawi people, Adala UK affirms that both Saharawi civil society, international human rights organisations, and the Polisario Front itself were deeply offended by the unfounded accusations made in the original article. Labelling the Polisario as a terrorist organisation is not only factually incorrect, but profoundly damaging to the dignity and legitimate struggle of a people under occupation. While we welcome The Telegraph’s decision to publish a right of reply, this action alone does not suffice. Both the author of the article and the editorial team at The Telegraph should publicly apologise to the Saharawi people for the moral harm and reputational damage caused by the publication.

This moment serves as a vital reminder of the role media institutions play in shaping public understanding of international conflicts. Adala UK calls on all British media outlets to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, and independence—particularly in cases where powerful foreign interests may seek to influence editorial perspectives.

The UK Government has itself reaffirmed its position on this matter. In a recent parliamentary exchange, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated:

“The Government has robust processes in place for reviewing the list of proscribed organisations. However, the Government does not routinely comment on whether or not an organisation is being considered for proscription. The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.”

As an organisation committed to justice and human rights, Adala UK believes it is essential that all public discourse—especially in respected British media—accurately reflects the legal and humanitarian dimensions of the Western Sahara conflict. We remain fully engaged in efforts to defend the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination, to confront misinformation, and to ensure that narratives shaped by international law and evidence prevail over propaganda.

For press inquiries:
Adala UK
📧 info@adalaUK.org
🌐 www.adalauk.org

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