Tomoya Obokata, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, has been informed of persistent human rights abuses in the Tindouf camps in Algeria by Sahrawi human rights activist Shaibata Mrabih Rabou. In a formal report, Mrabih Rabou, who is the president of the Sahara Center for Studies and Research on Development and Human Rights, highlighted ongoing cases of slavery in the camps, primarily targeting displaced individuals and people of African descent.
“We have brought several cases of slavery in these camps to Mr. Obokata’s attention, as black individuals or displaced persons are frequently the victims of these heinous practices,” Mrabih Rabou explained. He made these remarks on the sidelines of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva.
One of the cases Mrabih Rabou referenced was that of Salem Abidine, which had been the subject of an Australian-led investigation. However, the investigation faced obstruction from the Polisario Front leadership, who, according to Mrabih Rabou, continue to exploit the local population for political purposes while misappropriating humanitarian aid intended for camp inhabitants.
The activist underscored the urgent need for Algeria, as the host country of the camps, to take responsibility under international conventions concerning the elimination of slavery and human trafficking. He emphasized the importance of ensuring international protection for the victims.
During the general debate of the HRC on the annual report from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) called on the international community to pressure Algeria to guarantee the fundamental rights of the population held in Tindouf. These organizations condemned the forced disappearances occurring within the camps, asserting that the Polisario leadership routinely uses intimidation and abuses to silence the population.
The general debate on the global human rights situation forms part of the 57th session of the HRC, chaired by Moroccan ambassador Omar Zniber, which runs until October 11 in Geneva.
