Rabat – Mouna Ouazzani, Advisor to the Permanent Mission of Morocco to the United Nations, went into detail in condemning the human rights situation in Algeria’s Tindouf camps.
Ouazzani’s statements came during the General Debate of the Commission on Peacekeeping Operations, after Algeria’s representative made allegations on the human rights situation in Western Sahara.
In response, the Moroccan representative said that Algeria’s constant insistence on bringing up the Sahara issue proves its direct involvement in the dispute, an involvement which Algeria itself continues to deny.
She further lamented that Algeria’s inquiries “pollute” discussions on UN peacekeeping missions, especially when the North African country itself does not contribute to said missions.
“No blue helmets. No blue berets. No contribution other than 2 experts in mission”, she said, adding that “it’s not the manpower or resources that are lacking on the Algerian side, but the political will and the belief in the UN’s role in maintaining peace and security.”
“If your country is really concerned about the promotion and protection of human rights, why doesn’t it not only do nothing to improve the situation in the Tindouf camps, of which it is the host country, as requested by the Security Council, but also violate the basic Human Rights of the populations held against their will in those camps?” she also asked, drawing attention to the conditions in the Tindouf camps.
Ouazzani called attention to Algeria’s financial and logistical support of the separatist Polisario Front, questioning the Algerian representative on why their government turns a blind eye to the grave human rights violations committed by the Polisario against children and women in the camps.
She reiterated calls to the Algerian regime to register the camp’s population, which it has continuously refused to do.
Algeria has continued to avoid taking responsibility for its direct involvement in the Western Sahara dispute, claiming a neutral “observer” status despite calls from UN resolutions for the country to properly involve itself in the political process.
