By Nykoel Dinardo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
TINDOUF, Algeria – Several human rights organizations have expressed concern over the conditions of refugees located in refugee camps in southwest Algeria. The area has been the cause of political turmoil between Morocco and Algeria since the 1970s when Spanish colonial powers left the region. The refugees largely belong to a political movement known as Polisario, which has expressed a desire for political autonomy.
In July, the Secretary-General of the UN released a report describing the situation in the region. His report stated that there had been reports that humanitarian aid to the region was being hindered and that the absence of secure food stocks since 2006 was a growing concern. Since this report several other NGOs have released reports regarding human rights and humanitarian law violations in the region.
On December 12, World Action for Refugees, a Norwegian human rights organization released a report denouncing human rights violations in the region. The report claimed that the refugees were subject to inhuman living conditions and asked that they be allowed to return to their countries of origin if they wish. The report stated that regional populations were often completely dependent on humanitarian aid and that the people were denied the rights of freedom of movement, expression and association.
The most recent report on the region was released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on December 19, 2008. HRW claims that the problems in Western Sahara have been on the back burner for too long and hope that their report will help bring focus back to the problems. The report, titled “Human Rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf Refugee Camps,” focuses on the current problems in the region, rather than continuing to focus on past conflicts. The report criticizes Morocco, claiming that it denies recognition of human rights organizations in the region, disperses peaceful protests, and tortures people in its custody. HRW asks Morocco to allow access to the region by UN peacekeepers and other UN organizations. It also requests Polisario to allow those same UN officials to enter the region.
On the same day as HRW released their report, King Mohammad VI of Morocco gave an address reaffirming its commitment to human rights. In his address, he condemned the suffering and humiliation experienced by those living in the Tindouf camps and expressed a commitment to open dialogue in hopes of peace in the region.
For more information, please see:
Human Rights Watch – Human Rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf Refugee Camps – 19 December 2008
Human Rights Watch – Morocco: Suppressing Rights in Western Sahara – 19 December 2008
PR Newswire – Morocco Cites ‘Unyielding Commitment’ to Universal Human Rights Protections, Founded on ‘Sincere Action’ Not Just A ‘Slogan’ – 19 December 2008
Reuters – U.N. Should Being Monitoring Rights in W. Sahara – HRW – 19 December 2008
Relief Web – Norwegian NGO Defends Rights of Tindouf Camps Population to Return to their Country of Origin – 12 December 2008
United Nations – Question of Western Sahara: Report of the Secretary-General – 15 July 2008
