The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, met on April 28, 2021 in Geneva, with the Group of Support Group for the Territorial Integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco, at the level of Ambassadors of the Member States of this Group.
The objective of this meeting was to reaffirm to the senior UN official the firm and unwavering support of the member states of this Group for the Territorial Integrity of Morocco and the measures taken by the Kingdom in response to the provocations of the armed militias of the "polisario", with the support of Algeria.
The meeting was also the occasion to express, once again, the rejection of this Group of maneuvers orchestrated by Algeria, allying itself with a small number of states known for their serious, massive and systematic violations of human rights, for the sole purpose of instrumentalizing and politicizing human rights.
During this meeting, the Ambassador Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Omar Zniber, highlighted the constant commitment of the Group of Support for the Territorial Integrity of Morocco, which has continued to expand since its establishment in 2016. This group, made up of 31 Member States, is active in different forms, especially during the sessions of the Human Rights Council, supporting of the Moroccan Initiative of Autonomy as the sole and unique base of a political, realistic, pragmatic, lasting solution to this regional dispute.
The Moroccan diplomat emphasized the opening of more than twenty General Consulates in Laâyoune and Dakhla, from countries in different regions of the world, illustrating the growing recognition over the Moroccanity of the Sahara. He also briefed the UN official on the important economic and social development experienced in the southern provinces of Morocco, and the quality of infrastructure that allows its population to fully enjoy their political, economic and social rights.
In addition, Ambassador Zniber denounced the dishonest and malicious acts of Algeria and the armed militias of the "Polisario" aimed at misleading the international community in general and the High Commission in particular, on an alleged "particular situation” of human rights in the Moroccan Sahara, while the reality is that the exercise of these rights is fully guaranteed in the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom of Morocco, as throughout the whole national territory.
Moreover, the Moroccan diplomat added that the small hostile group led by Algeria has no legitimacy or credibility to address human rights, let alone the issue of the Moroccan Sahara. The vast majority of its members hold sad records on the matter, with massive human rights violations that are constantly denounced and condemned by High Commissioner’s reports as well as the Human Rights Council’s mechanisms.
Furthermore, Ambassador Zniber criticized the irresponsible behavior of the Representative of Algeria in Geneva who, through intimidation and violence, addresses the delegations of the Human Rights Council, betraying the implication of his country and his authorities in the propaganda and outrageous lies, aimed at misrepresenting the realities in the Moroccan Sahara. He aims to create a diversion from the extremely serious and deteriorated human rights situation of Algerian citizens aspiring to freedom and the full exercise of their civil and political rights. This behavior reveals, he added, the isolation of Algeria with regard tothe positive dynamics experienced by the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over its southern provinces.
It is highly important to recall that the Algerian leaders were severely questioned by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, during her last report on the legitimacy of the political power in Algeria, and their responsibility in the massive violations of human rights perpetrated against peaceful protesters, opinion leaders and the media.
In addition, Ambassador Zniber warned the High Commissioner against the attempts of politicization and instrumentalisation engaged by Algeria, through false allegations, carried out by NGOs well known for being close to the Algerian regime.
He also reminded the High Commissioner of the persistence of serious and flagrant violations of human rights on populations in the Tindouf camps, with the blessing and guilty protection of Algeria, which assumes full legal and moral responsibility before of the international community.
These populations are being deprivedby the host country, Algeria, of its registration, which constitutes a prerequisite for minimum international protection, recognized by international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and required by Security Council’s resolutions.
Finally, he took this opportunity to highlight Morocco's cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the various subjects of interest to the international community and reiterated Morocco's desire to maintain the dialogue on all of these subjects.
Several Permanent Representative Ambassadors also took the floor to explain their motivations, affirm their support for Morocco and renew their warnings on the politicization of the Sahara issue within the Human Rights Council.
Thus, Bahrain, on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, recalled the firm support of the GCC for Morocco, for its territorial integrity and its sovereignty over its Southern Provinces, and rejected all maneuvers aimed at instrumentalizing the Sahara issue and politicize the work of the Human Rights Council.
The Ambassadors of Gabon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Haiti, Jordan, and Zambia were unanimous in providing strong and unwavering support for the territorial integrity of Morocco and for its sovereignty over its Southern Provinces. They also underlined Morocco's concrete efforts and its commitment to a political, realistic, long-lasting and pragmatic solution to this regional dispute, which fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Security Council.
Their Excellencies also highlighted the socio-economic development of the Southern Provinces, and Morocco’s actions in fulfilling the rights of the populations,in addition to the situation of stability and prosperity prevailing in the region.
The Ambassadors also rejected the senseless and desperate maneuvers of intimidation led by the representative of Algeria who uses aggressive and violent language, breaking with all customs and diplomatic principles, and in due disrespect for states’ sovereignty. They expressed their opposition and rejection to this kind of rash behavior, which illustrates the full involvement of Algeria in the maintenance of this regional dispute.
In response, the High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomed Morocco's positive cooperation with its Office and UN human rights’ mechanisms. Ms. Bachelet expressed gratitude to Morocco for its tangible contribution to the work and activities of the Human Rights Council.
The High Commissioner recognized the political nature of this regional dispute, which is subject to a political process under the auspices of the Security Council.
Ms. Bachelet announced the reception by her Office and the various mandate holders of several allegations of human rights violations in the Tindouf camps, in particular with regard to the repression against opponents of the separatist leaders, the deprivation of the right of movement, the enrollment of children in military militias, and the ban on movement outside the camps.
To conclude, Mr. Omar Zniber reiterated the will of the Group of Support Group for the Territorial Integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco to cooperate fully with the High Commissioner for Human rights and to be part of a constructive approach on all of the subjects discussed at this meeting.
