French association condemns Polisario crimes and stops sending aid
Morocco-France, Politics, 9/20/2003

French association "France Libertes" denounced "war crimes" that the Polisario secessionist group perpetrates against Moroccan prisoners of war and decided to stop sending aid to the mercenaries, reported French wide-circulation daily le Monde.

The NGO, founded by Danielle Mitterand, spouse of the late French president Fran�ois Mitterand, which used to extend a strong support to the so-called SADR -self-proclaimed republic, denounced "the forced labor of Moroccan prisoners" after a mission Tindouf camps (southern Algeria), conducted last April by two of its investigators who met during the 15-day mission 700 prisoners and questioned 338 individually.

According to the investigators, all the prisoners questioned asserted that Moroccan prisoners "were and are still compelled to make all kinds of works."

Le Monde cited as an example the Rabouni detention center where administrations, hospitals, schools, gardens, wells and dormitories were built by Moroccan prisoners.

Investigators also testified they have seen several prisoners working on roads used by the MINURSO (French acronym for the United Nations mission for the Sahara) convoys, underlining that "when UN employees get closer to the site, prisoners are taken away to prevent them from being seen."

Based on the French association report, Le Monde also reports that Polisario submits payrolls to international aid organizations but these documents are false since work is "exclusively done by Moroccans held in captivity."

"Hence, all internationally-sponsored projects are being carried out by illegal labor," the daily further charges.

"France Libertes" decided to stop supporting projects in favor of Polisario in view of these serious breaches it considers as "war crimes," Le Monde concluded.

Previous Stories:
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  NGO says French association report on Moroccan POWs is only part of horrible reality   (8/23/2003)
  France hails consensus over Sahara issue   (8/2/2003)
  Moroccan figures opposed to MS Mitterrand's visit to Laayoune   (11/14/2001)
  Moroccan media, associations lash out at Mrs Mitterrand's hostile stand towards Morocco's territorial integrity   (11/13/2001)

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