101 Moroccans detained in Algeria return back home
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/9/2002

A group of 101 Moroccans who have been detained in Algeria by the Polisario separatists returned to Morocco on Sunday, after having spent over 20 years in Polisario jails.

The detainees accompanied by officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were repatriated in an aircraft provided by the ICRC.

They were welcomed by an official from the German embassy in Rabat, representatives of the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation, officials from the ICRC African mission in Tunis, a delegate from the Moroccan Red Crescent and military officers.

Meantime, Morocco urged on Sunday for the release of all Moroccans who are still detained in "alarming conditions" in the Polisario jails on Algerian soil.

A statement of the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation says "while it is satisfied at the release of 101 Moroccans who have been detained for over 20 years in Algeria, in total violation of international humanitarian law," Morocco deplores that "Moroccan prisoners are still exploited for political and propaganda ends, despite repeated calls by the UN Secretary General, the Security Council and the International Committee of the Red Cross and that their release be phased out over several years to serve political considerations, in total contradiction with the international humanitarian law provisions."

The statement stressed the Moroccan government's firm resolve to endeavor for the release and repatriation of all Moroccans still detained on Algerian territory.

Morocco also recalls that 1,261 detainees are still in custody in the Polisario jails, located on Algerian soil, in alarming conditions and urges for their immediate and unconditional release and repatriation.

Morocco, as a state party of the 1949 Geneva conventions, recalls that under the first article common to the four conventions state-parties have to respect and secure the respect of the said conventions in all circumstances.

In his latest interim report to the Security Council, the UN secretary general reiterated that the continued detention of Moroccans in Algeria is a serious humanitarian issue and urged those responsible for this situation to end their ordeal.

Those who make a political exploitation of the issue of detainees do not heed the Security Council's plea in its resolution 1359 for the release, without any further delays, of all persons held in prison since the conflict broke out (in the early seventies).

Morocco further pays tribute to the International Committee of the Red Cross and to the German government for their contribution to the repatriation of a group of Moroccan prisoners and hopes that all concerned parties, mainly the security council, would help the ICRC in its task of liberating and repatriating the 1,261 Moroccans still held in captivity in Algeria.

Some of the soldiers captured between 1975 and 1991 have been held for more than two decades, and the ICRC says they are the world's longest-held prisoners of war.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed congratulates Algerian president on independence day   (7/6/2002)
  Morocco continues efforts for unconditional release of all Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf   (7/5/2002)
  Algeria has nothing to reproach Morocco with as regards terrorism backing, Algerian general   (7/4/2002)

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