Sahrawi human rights activist Aicha Duihi expressed on Tuesday, during the 61st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, her deep concern over the human rights situation in the Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria), where thousands of people live under fragile humanitarian and legal conditions.
Speaking on behalf of the NGO “Promotion of Economic and Social Development” (PDES) under agenda item 4 of the HRC general debate, Duihi highlighted legal insecurity, the absence of independent oversight mechanisms, and “socio-economic challenges” affecting the daily lives of camp populations.
The NGO identified three major concerns: “the lack of comprehensive international legal protection” for many residents who do not possess recognized documentation, “weak monitoring and accountability mechanisms” due to the lack of regular independent oversight, and “persistent gaps in the legal and regulatory framework” related to population registration and the issuance of legal documents, further exacerbating the vulnerability of these populations.
“These conditions are not merely a temporary humanitarian challenge. They represent a real test of the international community’s commitment to protecting human rights and upholding the dignity of refugees,” Duihi said.
In light of this situation, the NGO put forward several recommendations, including strengthening independent monitoring mechanisms; enhancing cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and relevant UN agencies to improve legal documentation; and increasing international engagement to support sustainable humanitarian efforts, ensuring the protection of the rights and dignity of populations, including the possibility of voluntary, safe, and dignified return.
Duihi warned that the persistence of the current situation risks further aggravating already fragile humanitarian conditions and called on the HRC and its member states to take concrete measures to strengthen the legal and humanitarian protection of people living in the camps.
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