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Tuesday 14 May 2019

Call at Pan-African Parliament to do Headcount of Captive Populations in Tindouf Camps

Vocal synthesis
Call at Pan-African Parliament to do Headcount of Captive Populations in Tindouf Camps

Morocco's African deputies taking part in the second session of the fifth legislature of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), which is being held in Midrand (near Johannesburg), made on Monday a call for conducting a headcount of the populations held captive in Tindouf (southwest Algeria).

Speaking at the plenary session of the continental law-making body on the issue of refugees, the Moroccan African deputies exposed before the audience the false allegations by Morocco's opponents about an abnormal situation which used to prolong the regional conflict over the Kingdom's territorial integrity.

The census of these populations is needed to dispel the confusion which is maintained on purpose regarding this issue, said the African deputies, noting that such a census is in line with international humanitarian law requiring refugee census and registration all over the world.

The census will help differentiate between the political and humanitarian dimensions of these populations' situation, they said.

It is also a fundamental condition to guarantee the protection of the rights of these populations, said the African deputies, recalling international reports about the embezzlement of humanitarian aid sent to the camp's populations.

The call, which found an echo among the members of the Pan-African Parliament, recalled the clear responsibility of Algeria, a country that eludes its responsibilities by refusing a census in Tindouf in a serious violation of international legal rules, mainly those defended by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

MAP 14 mai 2019