Statement on the killing of two young Saharawis by the Algerian army in Tindouf

Today (20 October), a heinous crime committed in the camps of Tindouf (Algeria) has been brought to light. Apparently, two young Saharawis were searching for gold in a mine and, after being caught by an Algerian army patrol, had to hide in a nearby mining shaft to protect themselves from the shots fired at them. The two Saharawi gold diggers, who lived in the camp called "Dakhla" to the south of the town of Aouinat Belkraa, were surprised by the military and as they did not obey the orders given by them, they reacted without any further consideration than to use their weapons.

Although the young people managed to escape at first, they were finally located by the Algerian military in the well. Of all the possible options, the latter opted for the most abject one, which was none other than to throw blankets soaked in petrol into the well, setting fire to the well and burning the two young Saharawis alive, causing their deaths almost instantaneously.

Following this macabre and vile crime, a state of alert has been declared in the Tindouf camps to prevent any demonstrations that might arise to denounce this criminal act, which once again reveals the weariness of the Sahrawi people in their refuge in the Algerian desert, doomed to the weariness and suffering of a population that endures this dictatorship.

It is terrible that these atrocities should happen. Anything to do with violations of fundamental rights can be expected from the Algerian army and its friends in Polisario, even though they are experts in advocating them and making them the standard bearers of their "cause" when it comes to directing them against Morocco.

For all these reasons, this Saharawi Canary Islands Forum condemns such a serious and inadmissible violation of human rights, while denouncing it and calling on the various international organisations, particularly the UN, to intervene so that the appropriate investigation can be conducted and this terrible event can be brought to its conclusion. At this point, it is essential that the victims be compensated and justice done, and that the guilty parties and the government to which they belong be punished.