The UN Human Rights Council convened in Geneva to deliberate on global human rights violations, spotlighting the dire circumstances in the Tindouf camps in Algeria. Here, Sahrawi refugees live under the Polisario Front’s governance, lacking sufficient oversight and recognition. El Filali Hammadi from the Unity Network for the Development of Mauritania voiced strong concerns over the ‘legal and administrative vacuum’ within the camps, underlining the serious human rights breaches facing the refugees.
Hammadi highlighted Algeria’s abdication of responsibility, allowing the Polisario to operate without effective supervision. He recounted a chilling incident from October 2020, where Algerian soldiers set two Sahrawis ablaze while they were digging for water. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis looms, with a striking 88% of Sahrawi refugees battling hunger. With 28% of children under five stunted and inadequate access to clean water, vital aid is reportedly being diverted from the most needy.
Rabab Eddah from the NGO Promotion of Economic and Social Development condemned the severe oppression of free speech in the camps. She asserted that any form of opposition is ruthlessly suppressed, with political parties banned and dissenters persecuted. Her statement emphasized Algeria’s complicity, citing its refusal to acknowledge the Sahrawis’ refugee status, thus stripping them of their rights as outlined in the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Saadani Maolaynin from OCAPROCE International lamented the prolonged impunity and oppression endured by Sahrawis, condemning the one-party rule that stifles dissent. She advocated for Morocco’s autonomy plan as a just solution, promising essential rights and respect for the dignity of the marginalized population. Collectively, these voices called upon the global community to demand accountability, ensure transparent aid management, and pursue a political resolution that restores the Sahrawis’ rights and dignity.
The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva addressed human rights abuses in the Tindouf camps, where Sahrawi refugees suffer under the Polisario Front amid a humanitarian crisis. Concerns include lack of oversight, extreme food insecurity, and oppression of free expression. Speakers called for international accountability and highlighted the need for a political solution, suggesting Morocco’s autonomy plan as a viable option for restoring rights and dignity.
The discussions at the UN Human Rights Council on the plight of Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps expose a profound humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a lack of governance and accountability. Speakers reiterated the urgent need for international intervention to hold Algeria responsible for the human rights violations occurring in these camps. Advocating for a political solution that respects the rights of Sahrawis remains imperative, with Morocco’s autonomy proposal viewed as a potential path to lasting peace.
Original Source: en.yabiladi.com
