Adala UK strongly condemns the recent article published by HortiDaily on 6 May 2025, titled “Dakhla growers urged to diversify their markets”. The article presents a commercial narrative about agricultural production and export in Dakhla, without any mention of the legal status of the territory as part of occupied Western Sahara, or the serious human rights and international law violations that such activity entails.

Misrepresentation of Occupied Territory as Morocco

The article refers to Dakhla as part of Morocco and promotes its agricultural expansion and export potential. This framing is factually incorrect and legally irresponsible. Dakhla lies within Western Sahara, a territory that is internationally recognised as Non-Self-Governing and has been subject to illegal military occupation by Morocco since 1975.

By presenting agricultural activities in Dakhla as Moroccan development, the article legitimises the occupation, undermines international law, and ignores the rights of the indigenous Saharawi people including their fundamental right to self-determination.

The European and International Legal Context

Multiple rulings by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) notably cases C-104/16 P and C-266/16 have clearly established that Western Sahara is “separate and distinct” from Morocco, and that no agreement or economic activity can lawfully include the territory without the free, prior and informed consent of its people, represented by the Polisario Front.

Trade or investment activities involving Western Sahara’s natural resources whether agricultural, fishing, or energy related are unlawful under international law if conducted without Saharawi consent. This includes produce grown on land illegally seized under occupation and exported as “Made in Morocco”.

Misleading Involvement of the United Kingdom

HortiDaily’s article further claims that the United Kingdom is already a key market for produce from Dakhla. As a UK-based organisation, Adala UK finds this reference deeply misleading and unacceptable.

The UK government does not recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Including the UK in a narrative that promotes the export of goods produced under occupation risks misrepresenting UK policy, misleading consumers, and encouraging companies to become complicit in violations of international law.

We urge British retailers, wholesalers, and consumers to investigate the origin of imported goods and ensure that no product sourced from occupied Western Sahara is falsely labelled as Moroccan or enters UK markets in breach of international norms.

Exploitation Under Occupation

The agricultural projects described by HortiDaily are a direct result of Moroccan state-backed settlement schemes that systematically exclude the indigenous Saharawi population from participation or benefit. These operations are built on land unlawfully occupied, often using water and infrastructure subsidised by the Moroccan government, and are designed to consolidate de facto annexation through economic means.

This model violates international humanitarian law, particularly Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of civilians by an occupying power into the territory it occupies.

Adala UK’s Position and Call to Action

Adala UK calls on:

• HortiDaily to immediately correct the misleading presentation of Dakhla as part of Morocco, and to acknowledge the occupied status of Western Sahara;
• Media platforms and journalists to adopt responsible reporting standards that respect the legal status of disputed and occupied territories;
• Governments and international markets, including the UK, to prevent the import of goods originating from Western Sahara without the consent of its people;
• Agricultural and retail companies to conduct thorough human rights due diligence before engaging in trade with companies operating in occupied lands.

We reaffirm the inalienable right of the Saharawi people to self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter, and will continue to advocate against the illegal exploitation of their land and resources under occupation.

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