During the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, two prominent human rights advocates, Filali Abdelkader and Mostafa Maalainine, took the floor to denounce the severe human rights violations occurring in the Tindouf camps in Algeria. Representing their respective organizations, NGO CIRAC and the Network of Unity and Human Development , both speakers condemned the systematic surveillance, suppression of dissent, and the militarization of children by the Polisario militias. They called for an immediate international response to address these injustices.
The Reality of Life in Tindouf
Filali Abdelkader described a totalitarian system of surveillance and repression in the Tindouf camps, where people live in constant fear and are stripped of their autonomy. It is now internationally known that privacy is violated and completely erased. Individuals are subjected to round-the-clock scrutiny, their movements, and communications monitored, effectively silencing them and preventing them from speaking out against the atrocities they endure daily.
Mostafa Maalainine echoed these concerns, highlighting that human rights defenders and civil society members are particularly targeted by systematic surveillance conducted by the Polisario. This surveillance not only suppresses free speech but also prevents the exposure of corruption and human rights abuses, especially regarding the embezzlement of humanitarian aid meant for refugees.
Children Abducted and Turned into Soldiers
The most harrowing revelation, which is now a fact that has been confirmed by many reports, in Filali Abdelkader’s speech concerned the forced militarization of children in the camps. Since 1982, minors have reportedly been abducted from their families, subjected to intensive ideological indoctrination, and trained as future combatants. "These children are not seen as innocent lives but as instruments of war and potential terrorist operatives," Filali declared.
He emphasized that this practice constitutes a crime against humanity, violating international laws, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Geneva Conventions. Many of these children, too young to understand the horrors inflicted upon them, are robbed of their childhood, and their future.
The Theft of Humanitarian Aid
Mostafa Maalainine brought attention to another major scandal—the systematic diversion of humanitarian aid. Humanitarian assistance intended for the most vulnerable refugees is stolen by Polisario leaders and never reaches those in need. “Aid that should be alleviating suffering instead ends up in the pockets of corrupt leaders,” he stated.
Moreover, the fear of repercussions prevents refugees from denouncing this corruption. Surveillance in the camps not only suppresses dissent but also leads to self-censorship, leaving the people of Tindouf voiceless and defenseless.
It’s Time to Take Action
Both speakers issued a powerful call to action, urging the international community to intervene. Filali Abdelkader demanded an independent investigation, accountability, and the safe return of kidnapped children to their families. "Symbolic condemnations will not save them—action will," he insisted.
Mostafa Maalainine called for the protection of human rights defenders, ensuring their privacy and safety in exposing these crimes. He stressed that the only real solution is to end this artificial conflict and allow the refugees to return home with dignity and security.
Will the International Community Finally Listen
The testimonies of Filali Abdelkader and Mostafa Maalainine at the UN Human Rights Council serve as a stark warning about the dire conditions in the Tindouf camps. Their statements highlight grave violations of international law, crimes against innocent children, and the systematic theft of aid meant for the most vulnerable.
Now, the question remains: Will the world finally act, or will these abuses continue to be ignored?
