The MINURSO Mandate, Human Rights and the Autonomy Solution for Western Sahara

The MINURSO Mandate, Human Rights and the Autonomy Solution for Western Sahara

Anna Khakee argues that a human rights monitoring mechanism should be added to the mandate of MINURSO, one of very few UN peacekeeping missions without one. Human rights organisations, the UN Secretary-General, several states and Algeria have pushed for it, while Morocco has blocked it through diplomatic pressure, threats and lobbying in Washington and Paris.

Khakee finds Morocco’s objections, that monitoring would threaten its sovereignty and that the issue is politicised, unconvincing. She argues that autonomy and human rights are closely linked: respect for rights is a precondition for any working autonomy, autonomy is usually discussed in human rights terms, and autonomy arrangements often come with international oversight. She points to historical examples such as the Åland Islands and Danzig.

She concludes that by blocking monitoring, Morocco undermines the credibility of its own autonomy proposal, and that accepting it would build confidence and protect the Sahrawis.

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