Refugee Rights Protection

For more than three decades, tens of thousands of Sahrawi refugees have been held under inhumane conditions in camps controlled by the Polisario Front in Tindouf, southwestern Algeria. Despite numerous calls by many in the international communitythose being held today, by the Polisario, are denied basic freedoms and rights guaranteed under international law.

For more than three decades, tens of thousands of Sahrawi refugees have been held under inhumane conditions in camps controlled by the Polisario Front in Tindouf, southwestern Algeria. Despite numerous calls by many in the international community—NGO’s, even former Sahrawi refugees—those being held today, by the Polisario, are denied basic freedoms and rights guaranteed under international law—freedom of movement, repatriation to a country that will accept them and documentation, among others. Recently, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees visited the Tindouf camps—the first visit by a UNHCR commissioner in over 30 years—and said, “I recognize that not enough has been done and that the international community should wake up… we have to work more and better. These refugees are living for tens of years in precarious conditions.”

A recent study, “Group Rights & International Law: Case Study of the Sahrawi Refugees in Algeria” published by the Inter-University Center for Legal Studies & the Moroccan American Center for Policy documents 30+ years of serious human rights violations and humanitarian crisis resulting from the warehousing of Sahrawi refugees confined to desert camps near Tindouf, in southwestern Algeria. The report examines the role int’l law can play in helping refugees regain their freedom and makes specific recommendations to improve their lives and protect their rights, including: conducting a census, establishing an intimidation-free voluntary repatriation program, and ensuring a permanent int’l NGO presence to monitor distribution of humanitarian aid.

Below you will find more information about the plight of the Sahrawi refugees, including reports, studies, news articles and multimedia. Please visit this site often for the latest developments in our campaign to increase awareness about the need for refugee rights protection.

Background Information Expand
“Frequently Asked Questions” about Sahrawis  “Frequently Asked Questions” about the Sahrawi people and the 30 year Western Sahara Conflict (PDF, October 2005)

ESISC Report: Polisario's Human Rights violations  Report by the ESISC (European Strategic Intelligence & Security Center) of an independent committee of inquiry into allegations of violations of human rights, crimes, abuses and various other irregularities brought against the Polisario Front. (PDF, October 2006)

MACP Report: “Cuba and the Polisario Front”  This report by the Moroccan American Center for Policy examines the more than three decades long relationship between Cuba and the Polisario Front. (PDF, August 2005)

ESISC Report: “Credible Negotiatiator or Obstacle  2005 Report by the European Strategic Intelligence & Security Center (ESISC): “Credible Negotiations Partner or After-Effect of the Cold war and Obstacle to a Political Solution in Western Sahara.” (PDF, November 2005)

Group Rights and International Law: A Case Study on the Sahrawi Refugees in Algeria  
This report is a case study of the violation of refugee rights resulting from the three decades old warehousing of Sahrawi refugees in Algeria. It includes a brief introduction to the background of the factors that generated the refugee situation, an analysis of the current deplorable state of refugees in camps near the city of Tindouf in southwestern Algeria, and an assessment of how their rights are being violated under international refugee law. Drawing on international refugee and human rights law, particularly the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), it outlines both the legal rights of Sahrawi refugees and the legal responsibilities of UNHCR and the host country, Algeria. By assessing the responsibilities and shortcomings of UNHCR and Algeria in derogating from their obligations under international law, this report seeks to call international attention to the problem of refugee warehousing and to offer realistic suggestions for further international action that is urgently needed to improve the lives of the Sahrawi refugees and guarantee their rights under international refugee law.


US Committee for Refugees & Immigrants: "Stonewalling on Refugee Rights: Algeria and the Sahrawi"  

Sahrawi refugees are among the longest warehoused refugee groups in the world. Some have languished in remote refugee camps for 30 years or more. More than 90,000 refugees wait year after year in the desolate Sahara Desert of southwest Algeria.



Western Sahara - A Timeline  A timeline of key events in the history of the area often referred to as the Western Sahara (1578-2009)

After an investigation by the Inspectors General of the World Food Programme and the UN Refugee Agency compiled reports which document the Polisario/Algeria’s corruption & mismanagement of humanitarian aid in the Western Sahara.
http://www.cfif.org/htdocs/freedomline/un_monitor/in_our_opinion/UN-Mismanagement-Plagues-Aid-Program-Sahara.htm

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants - The mission of U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is to address the needs and rights of persons in forced or voluntary migration worldwide by advancing fair and humane public policy, facilitating and providing direct professional services, and promoting the full participation of migrants in community life.
http://www.refugees.org/

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