EU Court Ruling Boosts Western Sahara Self-Determination

The European Court of Justice ruled against the European Commission, highlighting a breach of self-determination rights in Western Sahara. This arises from trade deals with Morocco involving the disputed region. The ruling mandates proper labeling of produce from Western Sahara for transparency and consumer awareness.

The European Court of Justice has delivered a landmark ruling, criticizing the European Commission for infringing the self-determination rights of Western Sahara people by finalizing trade agreements with Morocco. These agreements covered territories contested since Spain's withdrawal in 1975 and Morocco's subsequent annexation.

The court's decision, rendered after multiple appeals by the EU's executive branch, emphasized that the consent of Western Sahara's people is crucial for legitimizing trade accords with Morocco, particularly those signed in 2019 regarding fishing and agriculture.

Furthermore, the court mandated a shift in labeling practices, instructing that goods like melons and tomatoes sourced from Western Sahara must reflect their true origin, devoid of any Moroccan reference, thus ensuring consumer transparency and preventing misleading information.

(With inputs from agencies.)