International Law and the Question of Western Sahara

In close collaboration with the International Platform of Jurists for East Timor (IPJET), the Institute of Social Studies organizes an academic conference that seeks to analyze the current state of Western Sahara, examine the viewpoints of relevant actors, and explore the prospects for bringing the dispute over the status of the territory to an end. The various sessions will address the historical background of the question of Western Sahara, general international law aspects, human rights aspects (in the first place the right to self-determination), and issues relating to sovereignty over natural resources.

The pre-registration to the conference can be done through e-mail to: [email protected].

Western Sahara is situated in northwest Africa, bordering Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania. The status of the territory is already for a long time in dispute. Despite efforts by various parties, including the United Nations, the African Union/Organization of African Unity and concerned individual state and non-state actors, this dispute has not yet been resolved. Sovereignty over Western Sahara is claimed by Morocco, which also controls most of the territory at present. The majority of the Saharawi people continue to live in five refugee camps in the Tindouf region of western Algeria. In 1976 the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front) proclaimed the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The Saharawi Republic is a member of the African Union and has been recognized by over 70 states.

This dispute and the situation in Western Sahara at large brings up highly complex and challenging questions relating among others to the status of the territory under international law, the implications of the right to self-determination, respect for human rights and protection against human rights violations, and the lawfulness and/or legitimacy of natural resource exploitation.