The MSP makes a new appeal in the face of the violence suffered by Saharawi refugees in Algeria
The Movement Saharawi for Peace (MSP) has once again denounced the deadly violence and repression against Saharawi refugees in camps located in Algeria.
In its latest official communiqué, the MSP made an urgent appeal to the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to denounce the situation and express their ‘deep concern at the serious deterioration of the security situation in the Saharawi refugee camps located in Algerian territory’.
‘A new tragedy has struck our people: two young Saharawis were coldly murdered by Algerian soldiers in the refugee camp of Dakhla, 160 kilometres east of Tindouf,’ denounced the MSP, which considers that these are ‘atrocities that are not isolated incidents’.
‘These flagrant violations of the most fundamental human rights can no longer be ignored,’ the MSP has officially stated. ‘In the face of this humanitarian and security emergency, we make a solemn appeal to the United Nations and MINURSO to intervene immediately and guarantee the protection of Saharawi civilians in the camps,’ the MSP has declared.
The MSP has also urged that the Saharawi current they represent be taken into account in the upcoming UN-led talks on Western Sahara.
The official statement of the MSP is reproduced below:
Urgent appeal to the United Nations and MINURSO
By the Saharawi Movement for Peace
To the attention of the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
To the attention of the head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO),
We, in the Movement Saharawi for Peace, express our deep concern at the serious deterioration of the security situation in the Saharawi refugee camps located in Algerian territory.
A new tragedy has struck our people: two young Saharawis were coldly murdered by Algerian soldiers in the refugee camp of Dakhla, 160 kilometres east of Tindouf.
Unfortunately, these atrocities are not isolated incidents. Saharawis living in the camps are frequent victims of shootings, intimidation and violent repression by Algerian forces.
This situation has generated a climate of constant insecurity and fear, endangering the daily lives of innocent civilians.
These flagrant violations of the most fundamental human rights can no longer be ignored. Our people are only asking for peace, justice and the right to freely decide their future.
Faced with this humanitarian and security emergency, we make a solemn appeal to the United Nations and MINURSO to intervene immediately and guarantee the protection of Saharawi civilians in the camps.
We also strongly urge the United Nations to include the Movement Saharawi for Peace in the upcoming talks on Western Sahara. This peaceful and moderate movement represents an important part of the Saharawi population that aspires to a negotiated political solution, far from the violent methods of the Polisario Front.
The exclusion of this realistic and constructive voice would only perpetuate the status quo and the suffering of our people. In order to achieve a just and lasting peace, it is essential that all Saharawi currents are heard and represented.
We also call on the international community, human rights organisations and the media to break the silence, denounce these acts of violence and support the Saharawi people in their legitimate aspiration for peace and dignity.
Lasting peace in the Sahara will not be possible without justice, truth and a sincere commitment to human rights.
