Stephen Zunes, an expert in international law, has urged President Joe Biden to reverse the unilateral decision of his predecessor, Donald Trump, to recognize Morocco’s supposed “sovereignty” over Western Sahara, as the “credibility” of the United States and the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination are at stake.
“For the sake of the people of Western Sahara and the credibility of the United States (…), Biden must immediately annul the U.S. recognition of Morocco’s conquest,” said Stephen Zunes, author and professor of political science at the University of San Francisco.
In a recent article in the American magazine “The Progressive”, the international law expert recalled President Joe Biden’s words that “any use of force to change borders is strictly prohibited by international law”.
“Preventing a country from expanding its territory by force was a founding principle of the United Nations, and it is enshrined in its charter,” Zunes said.
The expert also drew attention to the human rights situation in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.
He cited reports from Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, and other human rights groups showing widespread repression of peaceful activists for Western Sahara’s independence.
He condemned Moroccan occupation forces’ use of torture, beatings, detentions without trial, and extrajudicial executions against Sahrawis.