Nordic MEPs oppose Rud Pedersen’s lobbying for Morocco, citing moral concerns and international law violations regarding Western Sahara. They refuse meetings with RP until it severs ties with Morocco, asserting that such lobbying undermines political integrity and human rights. Their stance highlights the need for accountability in lobbying practices, particularly regarding occupied territories.
A group of Nordic Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) has taken a firm stance against the Danish Public Affairs firm Rud Pedersen (RP) for its involvement in lobbying on behalf of Morocco. The MEPs expressed their dismay upon learning that RP was engaged by Morocco to facilitate lobbying efforts concerning contentious trade and fisheries agreements with the European Union, particularly in relation to the extraction of resources from occupied Western Sahara. They emphasized that contributing to the agenda of an occupying power is not only ethically unacceptable but also destabilizing for international relations.
The MEPs had initially held hope that RP would adhere to ethical standards, but their expectations appeared to have been misplaced. They were alerted by various NGOs regarding RP’s role, leading to a deeper examination of the connections between RP and the Moroccan government, especially through the hiring of the daughter of Morocco’s foreign minister. The involvement of an organization like the Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc (CGEM) does not free RP from its ethical obligations, particularly when its lobbying focuses on “trade & agriculture” related to such controversial territories.
The lobbying efforts are significantly implicated in the broader context of Morocco’s attempts to negotiate agreements with the EU that include resources from Western Sahara, an area recognized by the EU and UN as occupied. The European Court of Justice has upheld a prior ruling negating the legitimacy of fisheries and trade agreements as they relate to resources from occupied lands. Such agreements infringe on international law, specifically the rights of the Saharawi population, since Morocco sells rights to fish in these territories without equitable considerations for the local populace.
The Nordic MEPs firmly believe that the exploitation of occupied lands must not yield any benefits from trade agreements with the EU. As representatives of political interests that oppose occupation and exploitation, they have resolved that Rud Pedersen’s actions are unacceptable and incompatible with Nordic values and ethics. They conveyed unequivocally that they will refuse any future meetings with RP as long as it continues to lobby for Morocco, signaling a wider effort to discourage other European Parliament colleagues from associating with an enterprise that represents an unjust cause.
In conclusion, the MEPs call for RP to terminate its connections to the occupation of Western Sahara and to renounce its participation in lobbying for the interests of an occupying power. Until such actions are taken, RP will remain on their blacklist, indicating the serious political ramifications for those engaging with unethical lobbying practices.
The Nordic MEPs have articulated their strong disapproval of Rud Pedersen’s lobbying on behalf of Morocco due to its implications regarding occupied Western Sahara. Their collective stance emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct in political lobbying, particularly concerning human rights and international law. By establishing a blacklist for Rud Pedersen, the MEPs aim to hold businesses accountable for their involvement with occupying powers and to encourage a broader political movement that upholds justice and equality.
Original Source: euobserver.com
