During the 57th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) held on September 10 in Geneva, several organizations presented urgent appeals concerning human rights violations in the Tindouf refugee camps in southwestern Algeria.
The session included interventions from Naji Moulay Lahsen of NGO Mauritania Development Unity Network, Shaibata Mrabih Rabou of the International Committee for the Respect and Application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (CIRAC), and other advocates.
Naji Moulay Lahsen Calls for Action on Enforced Disappearance
Naji Moulay Lahsen, representing the Mauritania Development Unity Network, opened his remarks by expressing gratitude to the High Commissioner for the comprehensive global human rights report.
He highlighted a pressing issue: the enforced disappearance of Khalil Ahmed, a human rights defender and consultant who was last seen in the Tindouf Camps in 2009. Lahsen criticized the Algerian government and non-state armed groups for their roles in Ahmed’s disappearance and called for “a full and transparent account from the Algerian government regarding the circumstances and individuals involved in Ahmed’s abduction, and consideration of targeted sanctions against the non-state armed groups responsible.”
Lahsen urged the Council to address this violation with urgency and transparency to aid Ahmed’s family in their search for answers.
Shaibata Mrabih Rabou Urges Investigation into Violations Against Sahrawi Refugees
Shaibata Mrabih Rabou of CIRAC addressed the Council on the systematic human rights abuses occurring in the Tindouf camps, particularly focusing on recent extrajudicial killings. Rabou reported that Algerian armed forces, along with the Polisario Front, have committed over 20 extrajudicial executions of Sahrawi youths this year alone. These youths were reportedly killed for seeking asylum or food outside the camps.
Rabou detailed the May 24 attack, where 14 unarmed Sahrawi refugees were killed and their bodies left exposed. Despite the public nature of these crimes, Rabou stated that Algerian authorities have failed to investigate or address the abuses. He called on the High Commissioner and the international community to pressure “Algeria to investigate these killings and address the policy of impunity,” and “hold accountable those responsible for the violence and intimidation against Sahrawi refugees.”
CIRAC Advocates for Legal and Administrative Reforms
In a related intervention, CIRAC’s Shaibata Mrabih Rabou reiterated the need for comprehensive reforms in the Tindouf camps. He criticized the Polisario Front for its systematic use of enforced disappearances to intimidate residents and suppress dissent. Rabou emphasized the need for Algeria to “revoke the delegation of judicial and administrative authority to the Polisario Front, and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.”
Rabou also highlighted the importance of ensuring that victims and their families receive truth, justice, and compensation.
These interventions shed light on the serious concerns of human rights violations in the Tindouf camps and reflect a broader call for accountability and transparency from both Algerian authorities and international bodies.
The Human Rights Council is expected to continue addressing these issues as the session progresses.
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