Human rights watchdog denounces Polisario's crimes
Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 8/11/2003

A delegation of a watchdog grouping human rights associations in the Sahara, currently on a visit to Geneva, denounced the crimes perpetrated by the Polisario separatists against the innocent populations sequestered in the camps of Tindouf, Algeria.

In statements aired Friday by Morocco's second TV channel 2M, several members of the delegation, currently taking part in the 55th meeting of the under-commission of human rights promotion and protection, held here July 28-August 15 said the Polisario have used the humanitarian situation for political ends.

Former Polisario member, Mustapha Bouh, denounced the crimes perpetrated by the separatists against innocent populations in the camps of Tindouf where they hold them against their will.

For some twenty years, the Polisario has been using the sequestered persons as human shields to drain international humanitarian aid, while exploiting their misery to obtain the sympathy of the international opinion.

Member of the body grouping Sahara human rights associations, Ahmed Tanazi, said the delegation has handed NGOs, special rapporteurs of the UN secretary general and international figures present at the meeting a file on Polisario's permanent human rights violations for over 20 years in southern Algeria.

Alex Oun, president of the world organization of catholic students described the situation in Tindouf camps as unacceptable. "Africa is going modern and slavery can be tolerated no more," he said.

On his part, secretary general of the international inter-religious organization, Charles Graves, stressed the necessity of pressing Algeria respect UN decisions and release prisoners.

Previous Stories:
  Baker Sahara plan holds great dangers for Maghreb, Algerian labor party warns   (8/8/2003)
  Morocco's Islamist party points accusing finger to Algeria over Sahara   (8/7/2003)
  Human rights situation in Algerian rear base under fire   (8/7/2003)

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