A number of petitioners addressed the United Nations fourth committee held in New York regarding the ongoing abuses of women’s and children’s rights in the Tindouf camps, reaffirming Morocco’s autonomy plan as the realistic for a resolution of the lasting Sahara conflict, according to The North Africa Post.
Amanda DiCianni, a member of NGO Rescue and Relief International raised pressing concerns over Polisario militia members training children for the military in the Tindouf camps.
DiCianani lamented the risky situation in the Polisario camps and emphasized that would have effects on the stability of North Africa since the camps are full of gang warfare, insecurity, corruption, and criminal activities of Polisario.
For this reason, the petitioner implored the United Nations to adopt the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, describing it as “the most humane, expeditious, and peaceful resolution possible.”
Nancy Huff, the president of the U.S. Teach the Children International, expressed her vehement criticism of the systematic misappropriation of humanitarian aid meant for the inhabitants imprisoned in the Tindouf camps by the armed Polisario separatist militias.
RMOL Network, Teguh Santosa, addressed the UN fourth committee and expressed his impression of the socioeconomic development in the Moroccan Saraha, shedding light on the thirty countries that have so far opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla as an affirmation of Moroccanness of the Sahara and in support of Morocco’s autonomy plan.
Vivian Eads, a petitioner from Capitol Hill Prayer Partners called for the United Nations to adopt the Moroccan autonomy plan, stressing that “this plan is conducive to peace and stability in the region.”
For her part, Hayat Laariche, a member of Morcco’s House of Representatives condemned the actions of the Polisario militiamen for trying to impose its own ideas on the people from the southern provinces.
Leila Dahi, another member of the House of Representatives from Laayoune, praised Morocco’s pragmatic autonomy plan and said it offers long-term stability and shared prosperity.
It is not the first time that controversy raised around the issue of the separatist Polisario Front employing children in the military. Several pictures and videos depicting children wearing military uniforms during de Mistura’s last visit to the southern region of Morocco sparked debates on social media.
Inmaculada Ocaña, President of the Alhayat for International Cooperation association, previously called on the international community and human rights organizations to defend detainees in the Tindouf camps and put an end to the impunity of the Polisario militias, according to MAP.
She stated, “Closing one’s eyes to the atrocities committed every day in the Tindouf camps on Algerian soil is unacceptable. The time has come for the international community to take action.”
Ocaña drew attention to the inhumane actions of the Polisario Front with the Algerian regime turning a blind eye documented in several international reports
She emphasized the importance of a strong and resolute response to uncover the truth about what is happening in the camps and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The Spanish activist underscored “the only solution to the suffering of detainees in the Tindouf camps is the resolution of the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, based on the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007, which enjoys the support of the international community.”
She added that several influential European countries, including Spain and Germany, in addition to the United States of America have supported their support for the plan presented by Morocco, stressing “Thus, all paths lead to autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.”
Ocaña emphasized that the UN must exert pressure on Algeria and the Polisario to adopt the plan since it is the most realistic way to put an end to the suffering of the families detained in Tindouf camps.
On his part, Manuel Navarro, a Spanish international law expert, underscored that the separatists are a criminal group that acts with the complicity of Algeria.
“The Polisario is clearly a criminal group that practices torture, illegal detentions, and kidnappings, and deprives the camp populations of their most basic rights, namely, freedom of movement and expression,” said Navarro.
The Spanish lawyer also blamed Alegria for being responsible for what was happening in the southern region of Morocco.
“Despite the statements of its leaders, Algeria is responsible for the conflict in the Moroccan Sahara,” Navaro emphasized.
He added, “The international community cannot remain passive in the face of this situation and must firmly support the Moroccan autonomy initiative for the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom, which is the fairest solution and enjoys unanimity among the most powerful countries in the world, such as the United States, Germany, and France.”
Many international organizations lamented the inhumane behavior carried out by the Polisario militias and reaffirmed their support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as the sole framework to resolve the lasting Sahara conflict.