Spanish NGOs might follow suit in ending support to Polisario

Spanish Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) might follow the example of French NGO "France Libertes" which halted its financial support to the Polisario and denounced "war crimes" committed against Moroccan prisoners in the Tindouf Camps, southern Algeria, by this separatist movement claiming independence of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975.

Afifa Karmous, member of the France Libertes's committee which has worked out a damning report on the situation in those camps where more than 700 Moroccan soldiers are held captive, told the Spanish news agency "EFE," that her foundation "has noted the terrible situation of Moroccan prisoners, which prompted us to take this decision despite its possible negative consequences on the population (living in the Tindouf camps)."

Karmous whose foundation, chaired by the spouse of late French president Francois Mitterand, and known for its constant support to the Polisario, did not rule out the possibility to see other human rights organizations, notably from Spain, follow the example of "France Libertes," saying that the proofs and testimonies contained in that report are irrefutable.

The foundation's report "put an end to the image the Polisario was trying to promote," said Karmous who has seen by herself Moroccan prisoners forced to work along the roads usually taken by convoys of the MINURSO (United Nations Mission for a referendum in Western Sahara) but who were kept out of view every time the UN personnel was approaching them.