Morocco condemns before the UN the human rights situation in Tindouf
The continuing human rights abuses in the Tindouf camps have finally exhausted the patience of the Sahrawi refugees. Fatigue after years of such treatment in the Polisario Front created an uncomfortable situation for observers who had no doubts about the situation.
UN adviser Mouna Ouazzani's statements came during a general debate in the Peacekeeping Operations Committee, following arguments by the Algerian representative on the human rights situation in Western Sahara. The representative of the Kingdom of Morocco responded that Algeria's emphasis on raising the Sahara issue meant that the country was directly involved in the conflict, which Algeria continued to deny.
The diplomat regretted that Algeria's ignorance of peacekeeping, which is "comparable to hatred of Morocco", is a major problem for Member States carrying out peacekeeping missions, including the army and police.
He also regretted that the investigation on Algeria would "contaminate" the debate on UN peacekeeping missions, especially if the North African country itself does not contribute to the mission. "There are no blue helmets. No blue berets. Nothing can contribute more to the security of this mission than experts," he said.
"If your country really cares about promoting and protecting human rights, why not take steps to improve conditions in the Tindouf camp where they are, as requested by the Security Council?" What basic human rights are being maintained against the will of the people in these camps?" questioned Ouazzani, drawing attention to the situation in the Tindouf camp.
He asked, "Why does this country allow the Polisario armed group to recruit children from these countries? Why do we allow the leaders to threaten, sexually assault and rape women and girls in the camps, including Brahim Ghali? Why does your army resort to extrajudicial and summary executions of these segments of the population? Why do we allow the detention and torture of dissidents from the corrupt Polisario leadership?" he asked. For him, the answers to all these questions are clear and simple: "Algeria not only doesn't care about human rights, they regrettably disregard them".
He also recalled an oral statement made by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to the Human Rights Council in March 2022, expressing deep concern about human rights violations by the Algerian authorities, in which she said: "I am concerned about the situation in Algeria. We are seeing increasing restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including an increase in the number of arrests and detentions of human rights defenders".
In September 2022, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances reprimanded Algeria for serious human rights violations. "Algeria is one of the three countries in the world with the highest number of enforced disappearances," he added.
Ouazzani highlighted Algeria's financial and logistical support to the "separatist" Polisario Front and asked the Algerian representative why the Algerian government turned a blind eye to the serious crimes committed by the Polisario against children and women on the ground. He repeated the Algerian regime's calls for the villagers to register, which he systematically refused.
Algeria has continued to avoid responsibility for its direct involvement in the Western Sahara conflict, citing its neutral 'observer' status, despite UN (United Nations) resolutions requiring the country to participate adequately in the political process.
