At the UN Human Rights Council session, NGOs expressed urgent concerns over human rights violations in the Tindouf camps, highlighting issues like violence, child recruitment, and lack of security. Activists called for international actions to address these problems and secure humanitarian aid. Morocco asserted its commitment to human rights amid the discussions on sovereignty over the Sahara.
During the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, various non-governmental organizations, alongside witnesses, expressed grave concerns regarding human rights violations occurring in the Tindouf camps located in southwestern Algeria. The Sahrawi NGO Promotion of Economic and Social Development (PDES) highlighted the humanitarian challenges faced by thousands who have endured nearly five decades of deprivation of their basic rights.
Fatima Ezzahrae Zouhairi, a PDES activist, emphasized the deteriorating security situation within the camps, which has led to an escalation in criminal activities and violence. This instability, coupled with the absence of judicial mechanisms from Algeria, exacerbates the risks faced by the residents, leaving them without avenues for protection or justice.
Zouhairi further noted that the isolated location of the camps, far removed from international oversight, intensifies these human rights violations. Vulnerable groups, especially women and children, are subjected to severe physical and psychological violence, along with substandard living conditions.
Lemaadla Mohamed Salem Zrug, representing the African Network for Development, Governance, and Human Rights (RADHEG), condemned shocking acts within the camps, including kidnappings, torture, and the forced recruitment of minors into military training. She pointed out the prevailing impunity enjoyed by Polisario officials who operate with the backing of Algerian authorities.
El Fadel Braika, a representative from the NGO Il Cenacollo and a former detainee, criticized the inhumane conditions in the camps, citing forced disappearances and the misuse of child soldiers. He also articulated concerns regarding Algeria’s repressive actions, which include detaining youth attempting to escape the camps.
Judit Segara Casasepare from CIRAC raised alarms over child recruitment, highlighting the exploitation through programs such as “Vacations in Peace,” which she alleged facilitate child trafficking without guarantees for their return. The NGO has urged the UN to investigate and hold Algeria accountable for these violations.
Similarly, Abdelwahab Gain from Africa Culture International decried the indoctrination of children, underlining that behind the humanitarian guise, many become victims of trafficking who are separated from their families. PDES has called for the international community to intensify efforts to protect the human rights of those in Tindouf.
Zouhairi insisted that the necessary responses should include unhindered humanitarian assistance, freedom of movement for residents, and effective monitoring mechanisms to identify and address rights violations. Urgent measures are required to secure humanitarian routes and facilitate sustainable solutions for the inhabitants.
The organization has requested the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to send a fact-finding mission to monitor the situation more closely and report transparently in accordance with the Geneva Convention on Refugees.
During the same session, Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to human rights. Ambassador Omar Zniber remarked that Morocco continues to enhance its legal framework promoting human rights and mentioned two initiatives aimed at addressing forced disappearances at the national level.
Moreover, approximately forty nations supported Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara, with Yemen’s Ambassador Ali Mohamed Saeed Majawar commending Morocco’s constructive interaction with the UN human rights system.
The session at the United Nations Human Rights Council has drawn significant attention to the dire human rights situation in the Tindouf camps, revealing the troubling conditions faced by residents over decades. NGOs have called for urgent action from the international community and the UN to protect vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for rights violations. Meanwhile, Morocco has asserted its commitment to human rights and sovereignty, seeking to further its engagements within the UN human rights framework.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
