Human Rights Abuses in Tindouf Camps Uncovered in C24 Meeting

The United Nations Committee of 24 (C24), convened Tuesday in New York, received a disturbing report of human rights violations at the Tindouf camps, which is controlled by the armed separatist group Polisario.
During the annual meeting, petitioner Touria Hmyen revealed that residents of the camps are trapped in a lawless environment where the “Polisario” group and its criminal armed militias engage in various inhumane acts.
Hmyen stressed that the residents’ affairs are run unfairly by the armed militias in clear violation of international law.
The dwellers are frequently abused by the Polisario, and subjected to arrest and detention in the notorious “Dhibia” prison. Women face slavery, forced marriage, and separation from their children. They are also sexually assaulted by Polisario leaders, including Brahim Ghali, who is accused of abusing and injuring numerous women.
The activist condemned the recruitment of children by “Polisario” as a war crime, arguing that child soldiers are used as slaves and trained to join terrorist organizations, in violation of their basic rights.
The petitioner urged the UN to open an independent investigation to protect the rights of Tindouf camps population, including women and children.