Morocco denounces human rights violations in sequestration camps of Tindouf

Morocco has vehemently denounced the human rights violations perpetrated against the Moroccans sequestered in the polisario-controlled camps in Tindouf, south-western Algeria, and called for intensifying the current dynamic meant to put an end to these violations.

This came in the address delivered here Tuesday by Moroccan minister of human rights, Mohamed Aujjar before the 57th session of the human rights commission, held in Geneva March 19 through April 27.

Aujjar, who made his address in the frame of the general debate, renewed Morocco's "deep concern" over "the human rights violations perpetrated in the Tindouf camps against Moroccans who have been forcibly detained for years in unacceptable conditions."

He said the testimonies of the persons who managed to escape the camps and to return home are moving and depict the dire reality in these camps and so do the reports by NGOs.

Aujjar mentioned in this respect the report published in 1999 by Amnesty International which said that "it received many information on these practices, despite the tight restrictions imposed by the polisario leaders on the freedom of speech, association and movement in the camps as well as the restrictions on contacts between the sequestered populations and the external world and on access of independent human rights organizations to information on the situation in the camps.

He wondered whether the Tindouf camps are genuine refugee camps, camps that no one can leave, camps where the freedom of speech is gagged, camps where the right to life and the respect of dignity are not guaranteed, camps where 1,481 Moroccan prisoners have been detained for more than 20 years in blatant violation of the Geneva conventions, he denounced, before calling the international community to put an end to these practices.

He said the current international dynamic meant to condemn human rights violations in the Tindouf camps must be carried on and intensified. An enhanced cooperation between concerned international organizations must be encouraged to conduct the necessary investigations and establish responsibilities.

The Moroccan official also drew the UN commission attention to the serious situation prevailing in the Middle East and the deteriorating living conditions of the Palestinian people.

He denounced Israel's intransigence and its daily violations of human rights in the occupied territories and called the international community to shoulder its responsibility through backing international legality and the Palestinian people's legitimate aspirations to establishing an independent state and enjoy all their rights.