French association denounces Algeria and Polisario's liberation of Moroccan POWs by batches
The French association "France Liberte" denounced Algeria and Polisario separatists' liberation by batches of Moroccan prisoners as "a contradictory with international humanitarian law."
Morocco said last week that it "took note" of the announcement of the release shortly of 243 of Moroccan detainees in Tindouf (south-western Algeria) and condemned the release by groups of the prisoners that are considered the longest-serving Pows in the world.
France Liberte visited Algeria last April in a international mission to inquire about the detention conditions of Moroccan prisoners of war who are detained in Tindouf.
"Twelve years after the ceasefire that entails the liberation of all prisoners of war in conformity with humanitarian law some 914 people are still detained," deplored the French association, reiterating its "demand for Algeria and the Polisario to liberate without delay all these men who are sick, suffering and marked by age."
The association, led by Danielle Mitterand, spouse of former French president Francois Mitterand, said in a release "military and civilian prisoners of war are imprisoned in conditions that breach the most elementary human rights. They are subjected to forced labor despite their physical and moral health that is deteriorating due to the inhumane treatment they have been enduring since the beginning of their captivity," deplored the association.
In a 52-page report recently published by France Liberte, the association accuses Algeria and Polisario of serious violations against Moroccan detainees in Tindouf and Blida (respectively south and northern Algeria). It also gave an account of murders, tortures and mutilations perpetrated against the POWs, who are forced to "take part in the propaganda of the enemy" in violation of the Geneva conventions and international humanitarian law.
The report described in details the inhumane living conditions in which the Moroccan prisoners are held.
In the same connection, France Liberte recommended institutional financial backers such as the European Union, the World Food Program and the concerned NGOs to investigate on the embezzlement of food aid destined to the sequestered.
After backing several projects that profited to the Moroccan sequestered in Tindouf, the French association deemed that "it is impossible today to continue operating" in the camps where "forced labor of Moroccan prisoners has being practiced since 28 years."