Dublin (Ireland), 29 July 2026 (SPS) – The Irish Government has reaffirmed its concern over the situation of Sahrawi political prisoners held in Moroccan prisons, while reiterating its support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The position was outlined by Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, in a written parliamentary reply issued on Tuesday in response to questions submitted by Members of Parliament Paul Murphy and Donnchadh Laoghaire regarding the cases of Sahrawi political prisoners, including Gdeim Izik prisoner Naâma Asfari.
In its response, the Irish Government stressed that the promotion and protection of human rights remains an integral part of Ireland's foreign policy, calling on all States to respect the rights of prisoners and detainees in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
Ireland also reiterated its unequivocal condemnation of torture and all forms of ill-treatment, urging all States to prevent and combat such practices.
Recalling its recommendations during Morocco's Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human Rights Council in 2022, Ireland expressed concern that human rights defenders and journalists continue to face intimidation, harassment, criminalisation and other violations, including in and in relation to Western Sahara. It reaffirmed its call on Morocco to take all necessary measures to ensure respect for the human rights of all people in the Territory.
The Irish Government further took note of the findings of the United Nations Committee against Torture that Morocco violated the rights of Sahrawi detainees linked to the Gdeim Izik protest camp, describing the Committee's conclusions as a significant reference in assessing the human rights situation of Sahrawi prisoners.
Reaffirming its longstanding position on the question of Western Sahara, Ireland stated that its policy continues to be guided by the objective of achieving a just and lasting political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
The Government added that its engagement on the issue will continue to be informed by the efforts of the United Nations, including the work of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. It stressed that any political solution must be consistent with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, particularly the fundamental principle of the right of peoples to self-determination.
Ireland also indicated that it would continue to closely monitor developments concerning Western Sahara within the framework of discussions at both the European Union and the United Nations.
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