NGO for release of Moroccans from Tindouf camps set up in London
Morocco-UK, Politics, 7/5/2004

A group of representatives of European non-governmental organizations set up on Friday in London an international committee for the release of Moroccan prisoners held in the Tndouf camps (southwestern Algeria) by the secessionist Polisario group that claims the separation of Moroccan southern provinces from the rest of Morocco.

The independent association was born in the presence of British MPs, and Arab, British and foreign journalists.

Jane Standing, chairwoman of the ICPT (International committee for the prisoners of Tindouf) explained that the association's work will be a purely humanitarian one and that it will act in accordance with the spirit of the International committee of the Red Cross and the UN human rights committee.

She explained that the association will be striving to obtain the release of Moroccans who have been held for too long in the Tindouf camps, in total violation of the international humanitarian law and principles of the United Nations charter.

Spokesman of the association, Anja Oksalampi, denounced the forced labor practices to which the Polisario mercenaries are subjecting the prisoners, noting that humanitarian aid has sharply dwindled since international organizations no longer want to be involved in dubious operations.

She further revealed that the Moroccan prisoners are being tortured, under the supervision of Algerian authorities which are offering shelter and political and military support to the Polisario.

Persons present in the committee creation ceremony signed a petition asking the Algerian authorities and the polisario mercenaries to stop misleading the public opinion and free all the Moroccans still held captive in the camps.

A total of 412 Moroccans are still held captive by the "Polisario," despite repeated calls by the international community and humanitarian organizations, including the UN Secretary General and the UNHCR for the "immediate and unconditional" release of "the world's longest-serving prisoners of war."

The separatist movement is claiming the separation of the Moroccan Sahara, a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

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