An international youth-led workshop held in Geneva has shed light on serious human rights violations in the Tindouf camps, drawing renewed attention to the plight of children and civilians trapped in the area.
The event, hosted by the SSBM University of Geneva under the theme “Youth for Peace: Advocacy and Cooperation with the United Nations”, was organized by Moroccan civil society actors, particularly from the southern regions, in collaboration with a major Egyptian organization and several global networks.
Participants underscored the urgent need to address the recruitment of children in conflict zones across the Sahel and Sahara, highlighting reports of their use as child soldiers in the Tindouf camps. Calls were made for their immediate social and educational reintegration.
Debates also emphasized the responsibility of the international community to dismantle armed groups operating in Africa, while denouncing the systematic human rights abuses in Tindouf, where thousands of Sahrawi refugees have endured decades of hardship.
Speakers warned that the continued militarization of youth in these camps represents a threat not only to regional stability but also to international peace and security, echoing concerns over violent extremism and radicalization.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants urged the establishment of a permanent platform for dialogue between youth and the United Nations to amplify the voices of victims of conflict, including those in Tindouf.
They further recommended international training programs to combat hate speech and extremism, alongside initiatives to reintegrate children who have suffered from forced recruitment.
The workshop also underscored the role of universities and research centers in preparing young people to act as mediators and contributors to peace processes, stressing that academic engagement is essential for sustainable solutions.
The active participation of Moroccan civil society groups highlighted Morocco’s commitment to peacebuilding and sustainable development, while also drawing global attention to the violations occurring in Tindouf.
The involvement of an influential Egyptian organization added an international dimension, ensuring that the voices of victims in Tindouf were echoed across wider global networks.
For students at SSBM, the workshop provided a rare opportunity to directly engage with issues of peace and security, while learning from practical initiatives designed to counter radicalization and support vulnerable populations.
Organizers stressed that addressing the situation in Tindouf must remain a priority in international human rights advocacy, given its role as both a humanitarian crisis and a security challenge.
By linking youth advocacy to concrete cases such as Tindouf, participants highlighted the importance of empowering younger generations to not only denounce abuses but also propose actionable solutions.
Ultimately, the Geneva meeting sent a powerful message: supported by Moroccan and Egyptian civil society, young people stand as a transformative force for peace, determined to amplify the suffering of those silenced in the Tindouf camps and beyond.
