Nordic MEPs Blacklist Rud Pedersen for Engaging with Morocco in Sahrawi Exploitation
Nordic MEPs have blacklisted the Danish consulting firm Rud Pedersen for promoting Morocco’s exploitation of Sahrawi resources. They condemned the firm for collaborating with an occupying power and emphasized that such actions undermine ethical standards. The MEPs cited legal rulings against the inclusion of goods from occupied territories in trade agreements and called for a unified stance within the European Parliament against supporting the occupation.
On March 12, 2025, Nordic representatives in the European Parliament expressed strong disapproval of Morocco’s partnership with the Danish consulting firm Rud Pedersen (RP) to promote the exploitation of Sahrawi fishery and agricultural products in Europe. As a consequence, they declared their intention to blacklist the firm. The MEPs emphasized a moral obligation to sever associations with what they termed the illegal occupation of Western Sahara and its people.
Leftist MEPs, including Per Clausen, Hanna Gedin, Jonas Sjöstedt, and Jussi Saramo, condemned the actions, stating that collaborating with an occupying power is not only morally indefensible but also exacerbates global instability. They expressed disappointment, stating, “Perhaps naively, we hoped it would adhere to certain ethical standards… It seems we were mistaken.”
The legislators voiced their “surprise and disgust” upon discovering RP’s role in lobbying for controversial trade and fishing agreements with the European Union. Their concerns were fueled by reports from NGOs that revealed RP’s association with Morocco via the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, noting the recruitment of the daughter of the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The MEPs referenced a significant ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union on October 4, 2024, which annulled prior agreements that had illegally included Western Sahara. They affirmed, “There should be no need to reiterate that goods from illegally occupied territories cannot and must not be included in trade agreements with the EU.” Furthermore, they reiterated that Morocco’s activities in Western Sahara are unequivocally illegal, as recognized by the UN.
In a direct address to RP, the MEPs articulated their stance, stating, “What you are doing—indirectly representing an occupying power through its commercial interests—is immoral and contradicts Nordic values and standards.” They pledged not to engage with RP on any issues until it discontinues its support for Moroccan interests. The Nordic lawmakers are also urging other European Parliament members to adopt similar positions towards those supporting the occupation of Western Sahara.
The recent actions by Nordic MEPs signal a firm stance against the involvement of Danish firm Rud Pedersen in supporting Morocco’s exploitation of occupied Western Sahara. By blacklisting the firm, the European representatives highlight the moral and legal imperatives to reject partnerships with entities that facilitate the unjust occupation and exploitation of territories recognized as non-self-governing. The call for broader parliamentary support illustrates a significant advocacy for ethical governance.
Original Source: al24news.com
