At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, NGOs highlighted severe human rights abuses in Tindouf camps, including violence, child exploitation, and impunity of officials. Calls for international oversight and action were made to ensure the protection of rights and the provision of humanitarian aid. Morocco also reiterated its commitment to human rights, seeking support for its sovereignty over the Sahara.
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and witnesses raised grave concerns about human rights violations in the Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria during the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held in Geneva. The Sahrawi NGO Promotion of Economic and Social Development (PDES) highlighted the dire humanitarian conditions in these camps, where inhabitants have faced significant deprivation of their fundamental rights for nearly fifty years.
Fatima Ezzahrae Zouhairi, an activist from PDES, reported a deterioration in security within the camps, citing an increase in criminal activities and violence which exacerbates the suffering of residents. She underscored that the lack of local security and judicial frameworks exposes these populations to heightened risks and blocks access to justice and protection.
Zouhairi indicated that the geographical isolation of the camps, remote from international oversight, exacerbates human rights violations. Vulnerable groups, including women and children, face increased physical and psychological violence along with harsh living conditions.
Lemaadla Mohamed Salem Zrug, representing the African Network for Development, Governance, and Human Rights (RADHEG), testified about severe violations such as kidnappings, torture, and forced military recruitment of children, while noting the impunity enjoyed by Polisario officials under Algerian protection.
El Fadel Braika from the NGO Il Cenacollo, a former detainee within the Polisario’s clandestine prisons, described the inhumane realities in the camps, including forced disappearances and torture, as well as repression from Algerian authorities against individuals attempting to flee.
Judit Segara Casasepare of the NGO CIRAC raised alarms regarding the recruitment of children in the camps, noting that they are indoctrinated in a violent ideology. She condemned the “Vacations in Peace” program as a potential cover for child trafficking, urging the UN to investigate and hold Algeria accountable.
Abdelwahab Gain from Africa Culture International echoed these concerns regarding child indoctrination, claiming that behind a humanitarian facade, many children fall victim to trafficking and are forcibly separated from their families.
PDES called on the international community to intensify efforts to uphold the human rights of Tindouf camp residents, advocating for unhindered humanitarian aid, freedom of movement, and mechanisms to monitor violations and end impunity. Zouhairi emphasized the urgency of implementing measures to secure humanitarian access and develop sustainable solutions.
The organization also urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to dispatch a fact-finding mission to monitor the situation and disseminate transparent reports, thus aiding the protection of rights as outlined in the Geneva Convention on Refugees.
On a related note, Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to human rights during this session. Ambassador Omar Zniber stated that Morocco continues to strengthen its legal framework for human rights advocacy and highlighted its efforts toward securing the ratification of the Convention against Forced Disappearances as an integral part of its national commitments.
Forty nations, including Yemen, endorsed Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara during the session, recognizing its constructive engagement with the United Nations human rights framework and the establishment of consulates in Dakhla and Laayoune which aim to facilitate economic cooperation and development for local and regional benefit.
The report from the session underscores serious allegations of human rights violations in the Tindouf camps, including violence against vulnerable populations and the exploitation of children. Both NGOs and national representatives called for accountability and action to address these grave issues while also reaffirming commitments to improve the human rights landscape in the region. The engagement of the international community and the UN’s oversight mechanisms will be crucial in resolving these humanitarian crises.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
