Nordic MEPs have placed Rud Pedersen on a blacklist due to its lobbying for Morocco, arguing that such actions are morally wrong and undermine international law. They emphasize that their refusal to engage with RP extends to all matters, highlighting the need for accountability among lobbyists and businesses supporting occupying powers.
Recent developments have led Nordic Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to blacklist the Danish Public Affairs company Rud Pedersen (RP) due to its involvement with Morocco. They argue that working with an occupying power, particularly in securing favorable access to resources from illegally occupied territories, poses significant moral concerns and destabilizes global dynamics.
The MEPs expressed their disapproval when alerted by NGOs that RP was hired to assist Morocco in lobbying for contentious trade and fisheries agreements with the European Union (EU). Despite initial optimism regarding RP’s operational standards, the involvement of RP and its connections, particularly with the Confédération Générale de Enterprises du Maroc (CGEM) and hiring of a relative of Morocco’s foreign minister, has provoked significant disenchantment among Nordic lawmakers.
The lobbying efforts by RP are perceived as counterproductive when the ultimate goal relates to trade agreements involving resources from the disputed territory of Western Sahara, a situation neither the EU nor the United Nations recognizes as legal. This is compounded by the European Court of Justice’s recent decisions, which invalidated prior agreements that benefitted Morocco, emphasizing the illegality of procuring resources from occupied lands.
The MEPs firmly stated that they will refuse to engage with RP on any matters, not just those regarding Morocco or Western Sahara. They hope to strengthen political consequences for businesses that support occupying powers and encourage their European colleagues to adopt similar stances. The call to action aims at persuading RP to dissociate from its lobbying on behalf of Morocco and the status of Western Sahara, reinforcing the long-held view that occupation and exploitation remain unacceptable.
In conclusion, the decision by Nordic MEPs to blacklist Rud Pedersen underscores a wider commitment to human rights and international law. By refusing to engage with lobbyists who represent occupying powers, these politicians emphasize the importance of ethical standards in political discussions. They advocate for a reassessment of business partnerships that compromise moral standings, particularly regarding the exploitation of occupied territories.
Original Source: euobserver.com
