Adala UK has formally written to the UK Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, requesting an explanation of the United Kingdom’s vote in favour of the United States-sponsored draft resolution on Western Sahara at the United Nations Security Council on 30 October 2026.

In its letter, addressed directly to the Foreign Secretary, Adala UK raises concerns about the apparent inconsistency between the British Government’s repeated assurances of support for international law and the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, and its decision to support a draft resolution that appeared to give Morocco’s autonomy proposal a privileged position within the proposed negotiating framework.

The organisation recalls that the British Government has previously reaffirmed, including in written responses to correspondence from Adala UK, its commitment to a UN-led political process and a settlement consistent with the principles of the UN Charter, including self-determination.

Adala UK stresses that the issue is not whether Morocco’s autonomy proposal may be considered as part of negotiations, but whether the Sahrawi people retain the genuine freedom to determine their political future without any outcome being imposed or predetermined by external powers.

The letter also refers to Western Sahara’s status as a Non-Self-Governing Territory, Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the 1975 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, emphasising the importance of the free and genuine expression of the will of the people of the Territory.

As a permanent member of the Security Council, the United Kingdom has a particular responsibility to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and the credibility of the international legal order. Adala UK therefore calls upon the British Government to exercise independent judgement in future deliberations and not to subordinate its position to the political preferences or geopolitical priorities of the United States or any other power.

In particular, the organisation urges the UK Government to:

• Uphold the Sahrawi people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
• Oppose any negotiating framework that effectively predetermines the final status of Western Sahara.
• Safeguard the integrity and credibility of the UN-led political process.
• Ensure the meaningful participation of all relevant parties.
• Support human rights protection, independent monitoring and sustained humanitarian assistance to Sahrawi refugees.

Adala UK acknowledges the diplomatic complexities surrounding Western Sahara but maintains that these cannot justify ambiguity regarding fundamental principles of international law.

The organisation has consequently requested a formal explanation from the Foreign Secretary regarding the consistency of the UK’s vote with its previously stated commitments. It has also urged the British Government to ensure that its position in any forthcoming Security Council discussions and votes is firmly guided by international law, rather than geopolitical considerations.

Adala UK believes that the credibility of the United Kingdom’s commitment to the international rules-based order must be demonstrated through its actions, not simply its diplomatic statements.

The organisation will continue to advocate for the protection of the Sahrawi people’s fundamental rights and their inalienable right to determine their own political future in accordance with international law.

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