Moroccan ngo's call Annan to endeavor for end of tragedy of elderly people sequestered

A group of Moroccan non-governmental organizations on Monday called the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, to spare no effort to address the tragic situation of Moroccan elderly people sequestered in the Tindouf camps (south-western Algeria).

In a letter handed to the UN chief, who chaired the opening of the second world assembly on aging, the general union of Morocco's retired persons associations and the national union of retired persons, which are representing Morocco in this conference, urged for the release of all persons sequestered by the Polisario secessionists, including old people.

The letter further warns of the deteriorating health and the plight of these persons and invite the UN Secretary General and the international community to take urgent measures to protect these elderly people and guarantee their right to return to their homeland.

In addition to non-governmental organizations, the Moroccan delegation to the international conference comprises minister of employment, vocational training, social development and solidarity, Abbas El Fassi, minister of economic forecasts and planning, Abdelhamid Aouad, and delegates of other ministerial departments and insurance and pension funds.