The Western Sahara Conflict: impact on Sahrawi people´s human rights: intended solidarity or breach of international responsibility

Abstract

When the Spanish government appeared to explain its change of position on the Sahara conflict, the commitment to humanitarian aid to the refugee population was expressly highlighted. The government argued that its support for Morocco’s proposed solution, contrary to international law and Spain’s responsibility as an administering power, was a step towards
unblocking the stalemate in the conflict. However, the allegation that its commitment to the refugee population was evidence of its position in favour of the Sahrawi people is not such a claim, but only represents the fulfilment of part of its obligations as an administering power of the territory. This paper will examine the obligations of administering powers in the protection of
local populations and Spain’s traditional position as a donor of humanitarian aid and the human rights situation in order to argue that the government’s alleged commitment is not such, and that the humanitarian aid promised to the refugee population is no different from previous years and does not go beyond Spain’s obligations as an administering power of the territory.