Three members of the European Parliament, including Spanish lawmaker Isabel Serra, Portuguese Catarina Martins, and Jussi Saramo from Finland, were detained and expelled from El Aaiún, Western Sahara, where they were conducting a human rights observation mission. The MEPs had travelled to verify compliance with a recent ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which suspended the implementation of agriculture and fisheries agreements between the EU and Morocco in Saharawi territory. The MEPs were refused permission to disembark from the plane, and after more than an hour, they were sent back to Gran Canaria.
The trip had been organised in collaboration with the Polisario Front, which is recognised by the UN as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people. The territory of Western Sahara is controlled by Morocco, but its international status remains disputed. The MEPs had planned to meet with human rights groups and Saharawi associations during their visit. Isabel Serra shared a video on Instagram showing how she was physically blocked from exiting the plane by an alleged Moroccan agent. The MEPs believe they were prevented from observing the situation in the occupied territory and meeting with human rights organisations by the Moroccan authorities.
Isabel Serra criticised the lack of support from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the detention at the airport. The MEPs plan to file complaints with their respective governments and the EU institutions. They intend to hold Morocco accountable for violating their right to enter the territory and monitor human rights. The expulsion of the MEPs is part of a series of incidents in Western Sahara in which political representatives and journalists have been prevented from entering or expelled from the region. Earlier this year, journalist Asier Aldea Esnaola and youtuber Rama Jutglar were detained at Casablanca airport and had their passports confiscated as they attempted to travel to Dakhla before being expelled from the country.
Morocco has repeatedly prevented politicians and media representatives from visiting Western Sahara, indicating a lack of transparency and a desire to control the narrative around the region. The MEPs’ expulsion highlights the ongoing tensions between different stakeholders in the disputed territory, with Morocco aiming to restrict access and monitor the activities of foreign observers. The incident has raised concerns about human rights violations in Western Sahara and the ability of international representatives to monitor and advocate for the rights of the Sahrawi people. The MEPs’ experience underscores the challenges faced by individuals and organizations seeking to address the complex political situation in Western Sahara.
