Morocco holds Algeria responsible for violations against Moroccan POWs

Morocco is holding Algeria responsible for the serious breaches of the international humanitarian law against Moroccan servicemen held on its territory by the "Polisario" separatists.

Delegated minister for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taieb Fassi Fihri, told on Wednesday question-time at the House of representatives 917 Moroccans are still held captive in Algeria which is to blame for the continuation of these serious violations of international humanitarian law on its territory and is considered under the international law provisions as "a "sequestering power."

He also deplored the tragic and worrying conditions in which these captives, considered as the world's longest-serving prisoners, are living and the chronic diseases affecting them as a result of ill-treatment and deprivation of most basic human rights. Fassi-Fihri told MPS that in keeping with the king's instructions, the government has called the international community to intervene for the immediate and unconditioned release of the Moroccan prisoners and reiterated its refusal of the opportunist exploitation for political and propaganda ends of the humanitarian issue.

The government is also urging for "the respect of humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva convention and the Security Council resolutions, mainly the one adopted last July." The official went on that Morocco has denounced the situation before the UN Human rights commissioner last March and at the latest meeting of the High commissioner for refugees.

"His Majesty the King's Government is resolved to carry on its diplomatic efforts, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels, especially with the International Committee of the Red Cross, for the release of all prisoners," he went on.