During the 57th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, urgent appeals were made regarding human rights violations in the Tindouf refugee camps located in southwestern Algeria. Various organizations, including representatives from the Mauritania Development Unity Network and the International Committee for the Respect and Application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (CIRAC), voiced their concerns.
Naji Moulay Lahsen Calls for Action on Enforced Disappearance
Naji Moulay Lahsen, speaking on behalf of the Mauritania Development Unity Network, began by thanking the High Commissioner for the detailed global human rights report. He addressed the critical issue of Khalil Ahmed’s enforced disappearance, a human rights defender last seen in the Tindouf Camps back in 2009. Lahsen condemned the Algerian government and non-state armed groups for their involvement in Ahmed’s abduction, demanding a full and transparent account from the Algerian authorities regarding the circumstances of the case and the individuals involved. He urged the Council to act with urgency and clarity to assist Ahmed’s family in their pursuit of justice.
Shaibata Mrabih Rabou Urges Investigation into Violations Against Sahrawi Refugees
Shaibata Mrabih Rabou of CIRAC brought the Council’s attention to the systematic human rights abuses in the Tindouf camps, specifically highlighting recent extrajudicial killings. Rabou reported that this year alone, over 20 Sahrawi youths have been executed by Algerian armed forces and the Polisario Front, often for merely seeking food or asylum outside the camps. He recounted a tragic incident on May 24, when 14 unarmed Sahrawi refugees were killed, with their bodies left on display. Despite the public nature of these acts, Rabou criticized the Algerian authorities for their failure to investigate or respond adequately. He called on the High Commissioner and the international community to exert pressure on Algeria to address these killings and the ongoing culture of impunity.
CIRAC Advocates for Legal and Administrative Reforms
In another intervention, Rabou reiterated the urgent need for reforms in the Tindouf camps. He condemned the Polisario Front for its systematic use of enforced disappearances as a means of intimidation and suppression of dissent among residents. Rabou emphasized that Algeria should revoke the judicial and administrative powers delegated to the Polisario Front and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. He stressed the vital importance of ensuring that victims and their families receive truth, justice, and compensation.
These interventions have illuminated the serious human rights violations occurring within the Tindouf camps, underscoring a broader demand for accountability and transparency from both Algerian authorities and international bodies. The Human Rights Council is anticipated to continue addressing these critical issues as the session unfolds.
