Our organization expresses serious concern regarding the continued export and marketing of agricultural products originating from Western Sahara under Moroccan administrative designations, including “Dakhla–Oued Eddahab,” without clearly identifying the territory as Western Sahara.
This practice follows rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which have affirmed that Western Sahara is a distinct and separate territory from the Kingdom of Morocco. The Court has further clarified that EU–Morocco agreements cannot lawfully apply to Western Sahara without the consent of the Sahrawi people, in accordance with international law and the principle of self-determination.
The use of alternative regional labeling for products cultivated in Dakhla raises serious concerns regarding transparency, consumer rights, and compliance with EU legal standards. Western Sahara remains classified by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory, and its natural resources may not be exploited without the consent of its people.
Accurate origin labeling is not merely a technical requirement; it is a matter of legal compliance and ethical responsibility. Misleading designations risk undermining judicial decisions and facilitating the continued exploitation of resources from a territory whose final status remains unresolved under international law.
We therefore call upon the following:
- European Union institutions to ensure the full implementation and enforcement of CJEU rulings;
- EU Member States to strengthen monitoring and verification mechanisms concerning product origin labeling;
- Companies, importers, and retailers are to conduct enhanced human rights due diligence and ensure transparency in their supply chains.
- All relevant stakeholders should uphold international law and respect the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
Our organization reiterates that adherence to international legal standards, transparency in trade practices, and respect for human rights are essential to ensuring accountability and protecting the rights of the people of Western Sahara.