The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is deeply concerned that the Moroccan berm prevents Sahrawis from enjoying fully their economic, social and cultural rights.

In the concluding observations and recommendations of its review (October 2015) of Morocco’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has underlined the following regarding the Moroccan wall (Berm) in Western Sahara:

7. While noting the security concerns raised by the State Party, the Committee is deeply concerned that the berm, fortified with anti-personnel mines, built by the State Party between the part of the territory of Western Sahara controlled by Morocco and the remaining territory, prevents the Sahrawis from enjoying fully their rights enshrined in the Covenant.

8. The Committee recommends that the State party take appropriate measures to allow Sahrawis to access their lands and natural resources and to reunite with their families. It urges it to accelerate its demining programme of the berm. The Committee requests the State party to provide detailed information on the enjoyment by the Sahrawis of all rights enshrined in the Covenant in its next periodic report.

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) is the body of 18 independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by the States parties. The Committee was established under ECOSOC Resolution 1985/17 of 28 May 1985 to carry out the monitoring functions assigned to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in Part IV of the Covenant.