Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the UN Security Council to advocate for the release of Saharawi civilian prisoners in Moroccan prisons.

Human rights is a UK priority around the world, including in Morocco, and we raise human rights issues with Morocco accordingly. The UK and Morocco have regular discussions on human rights, including prison conditions. The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2548 on 30 October 2020. The resolution stresses the importance of improving the human rights situation in Western Sahara and the Tindouf camps, and encourages the parties to work with the international community to develop and implement independent and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights, bearing in mind their relevant obligations under international law.