Algeria - Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 May 2014
Information on refugee camps in the Tindouf region including: Current human rights situation;
In April 2013 a publication released by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights notes that:
…“the UN has failed to resolve the conflict, leaving nearly the entire Sahrawi population, comprised of roughly 500,000 people, without effective human rights protection…The situation is particularly urgent for the more than 125,000 Sahrawi refugees who subsist in what were intended to be temporary camps established near Tindouf, Algeria in 1976” (Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights (18 April 2013) Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights).
This report also notes:
“Sahrawi refugees have subsisted in isolated refugee camps under extreme conditions for almost four decades. In spite of international efforts to provide more than 125,000 people with the basic necessities of life, conditions in the refugee camps have negative consequences for the physical and psychological integrity of the inhabitants…The delegation observed conditions in the camps that cannot be accepted as part of any permanent standard of living. These conditions include, among others, permanent exposure to extreme heat, limited electricity and sanitation, lack of variety in diet, and very limited career alternatives…The camps are situated in a harsh desert environment that does not allow for farming. The residents are dependent on humanitarian assistance from the World Food Programme, ECHO, AECID, and UNHCR” (Ibid).
A document issued in December 2013 by the UNHCR states that the:
“…Sahrawi refugees living in five camps in Tindouf are almost totally dependent on humanitarian assistance, as opportunities for income generation are scarce” (UNHCR (1 December 2013) Algeria, p.1).
A report published by the House of Commons Library in February 2014 states:
“There are some 90,000 refugees from Western Sahara in the refugee camps across the border near the Algerian town of Tindouf. Deprivation in the camps is rife, while minors represent about 60% of the population. A nutrition survey in 2012 found that 8% of the camps’ residents were acutely malnourished and 17% were underweight. A quarter of residents showed signs of restricted growth because of malnutrition” (House of Commons Library (11 February 2014) Western Sahara, p.4).
In May 2014 a document issued by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly notes:
“…the committee is nevertheless concerned about a number of alleged human rights breaches in Western Sahara, as well as the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps…” (Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (13 May 2014) Western Sahara: a spirit of compromise in order to achieve a political solution, p.1).
This report also notes a concern:
“…about alleged human rights breaches in the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf, in particular in terms of freedom of expression, assembly, association and movement, as well as the humanitarian situation in the camps…” (ibid, p.3).
Names of the camps;
In May 2014 the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly produced a report which states that:
“Tindouf which is home to four Sahrawi camps, “Aousserd”, “Dakhla”, El Ayoun” and “Smara”, named after the main towns in Western Sahara [and a] school camp “February 27”, known as “Boujdour”…” (Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (13 May 2014) Western Sahara: a spirit of compromise in order to achieve a political solution, p.16).
In December 2013 the Jamestown Foundation states that:
“…the exiled Sahrawis now live in six refugee camps housing 150,000 people centered around the Algerian town of Tindouf, home to an Algerian military base…The four main camps are named for towns in the Western Sahara – al-Aaiun, Smara, Awserd and Dakhla. "February 27" is a small camp and the administration is run from the Rabouni camp” (Jamestown Foundation (3 December 2013) Oil Exploration and Political Stalemate Threaten to Trigger Renewed Conflict in the Western Sahara).
A report published in December 2013 by the United States Agency for International Development notes:
“Located in such relative isolation between 30 and 180 km from the Southwest Algerian town of Tindouf, the Sahrawi from the five camps of Awserd, Boujdour, Dakhla, Layoune and Smara still reside in the barren deserts of Southwest Algeria with limited access to livelihood opportunities; families are largely dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival” (United States Agency for International Development (16 December 2013) Life in Southwest Algeria: A Civil Service Officer from USAID Visits the Remote Sahrawi Refugee Camps).
Laayoune, Awserd, Smara & Dakhla & are listed as camps in a UNHCR publication issued in December 2013 (UNHCR (1 December 2013) Algeria, p.1[map]).
A publication released in April 2013 by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights notes the:
“…Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria, located in the Sahara desert. The refugees are divided in five camps: Smara, Laayoune, 27 of February, Ausserd, and Dajla” (Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights (18 April 2013) Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights).
In May 2012 a document released by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department points out that:
“…the Sahrawi refugees installed themselves in the region of Tindouf in 1975 hoping to return home. Today, they live in four refugee camps - Dakhla, Smara, Laâyoune and Ausserd” (European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (21 May 2012) ECHO Factsheet Sahrawi Refugees (May 2012)).
How they operate;
Reuters in April 2014 notes the:
“…Polisario Front-run refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria” (Reuters (17 April 2014) No U.N. rights monitoring in U.S. draft on Western Sahara mission).
A report published in February 2014 by the House of Commons Library notes that:
“The Polisario authorities are fully in control of the camps…” (House of Commons Library (11 February 2014) Western Sahara, p.5).
In February 2014 a document issued by the United States Department of State commenting on events of 2013 points out that:
“Sahrawi refugees lived predominantly in five camps near the city of Tindouf, administered by the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Harma and Rio de Oro (Polisario)” (United States Department of State (27 February 2014) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013, Algeria, Section 2d Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons /Protection of Refugees/Access to Basic Services).
The Norwegian Refugee Council in December 2013 states:
“According to Polisario, which manages the camps, 165,000 Sahrawi refugees are living in Algeria” (Norwegian Refugee Council (19 December 2013) Occupied Country, Displaced People, p.5).
A publication released in November 2013 by the UNHCR notes that:
“The four camps are largely self-managed by the POLISARIO, including security arrangements. The POLISARIO has its Headquarters in Rabouni, the administrative centre of the camps that are named from the main cities in the Western Sahara Territory (Laayoune, Awserd, Smara and Dakhla)” (UNHCR (November 2013) Bridge over troubled desert: A review of the UNHCR confidence building measures programme in Western Sahara and Tindouf).
Availability of education and employment;
A publication released in April 2014 by the United Nations Security Council notes the
“…development needs in the camps, especially education and employment for the youth (United Nations Security Council (10 April 2014) Report of the Secretary- General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (April 2014)).
A UNHCR report issued in January 2014 notes the:
“…limited opportunities to work…” (UNHCR (30 January 2014) Restoring self- reliance among Sahrawi refugees in Algeria).
This document also points out that the:
“Youth are an estimated 60 per cent of the Sahrawi refugee population (estimates of the population range from 90,000 to 165,000) but live in limbo, with extremely limited chances to apply their education and skills” (ibid).
A report produced in February 2014 by the United States Department of State commenting on events of the preceding year notes:
“Sahrawi refugees lived predominantly in five camps near the city of Tindouf, administered by the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Harma and Rio de Oro (Polisario). The remote location of the camps and lack of government presence resulted in lack of access to employment, basic services, education, police, and courts for Sahrawis” (United States Department of State (27 February 2014) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013, Algeria, Section 2d Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons /Protection of Refugees/Access to Basic Services).
In a publication issued by the Norwegian Refugee Council in December 2013, it is stated that:
“Given the scarcity of resources, Polisario can do little to offer young people meaningful jobs or higher education within the camps” (Norwegian Refugee Council (19 December 2013) Occupied Country, Displaced People, p.8).
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly in May 2014 produced a report which states that
“Primary education is compulsory for all Sahrawi children, who must, however, leave Western Sahara (for Algeria, Cuba, Libya or elsewhere) if they wish to continue their studies” (Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (13 May 2014) Western Sahara: a spirit of compromise in order to achieve a political solution, p.17).
This report also notes the:
“…high unemployment rates” (ibid, p.15).
Camps called camp 1 or Rgliibet;
No information on this issue could be found among sources available to the RDC.
UN peacekeeping contingent in the region;
An undated document from the United Nations states:
“The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established by Security Council resolution 690 (1991)…of 29 April 1991, in accordance with "the settlement proposals", as accepted on 30 August 1988 by Morocco and the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro (Frente POLISARIO). The Secretary-General's implementation plan, approved by the Security Council, provided for a transitional period during which the Special Representative of the Secretary-General would have sole and exclusive responsibility over all matters relating to a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. The Special Representative would be assisted in his tasks by a deputy special representative and by an integrated group of United Nations civilian, military and police personnel, to be known as the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara” (United Nations (Undated) MINURSO Mandate).
This document also points out that:
“MINURSO was originally mandated to: Monitor the ceasefire; Verify the reduction of Moroccan troops in the Territory; Monitor the confinement of Moroccan and Frente POLISARIO troops to designated locations; Take steps with the parties to ensure the release of all Western Saharan political prisoners or detainees; Oversee the exchange of prisoners of war (International Committee of the Red Cross External link); Implement the repatriation programme (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees); Identify and register qualified voters; Organize and ensure a free and fair referendum and proclaim the results. While the organization of the referendum has not been possible to date, other requirements of the mandate have been pursued successfully. MINURSO continues to perform the following tasks: Monitor the ceasefire; Reduce the threat of mines and unexploded ordnances; Support the confidence-building measures” (ibid).
In April 2014 the United Nations News Centre states:
“The Security Council today extended for another year the mandate of the United Nations mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire in Western Sahara and organizing a referendum on self-determination for the people of the territory. The UN has been involved in efforts to find a settlement in Western Sahara since 1976, when fighting broke out between Morocco and the Frente Polisario after the Spanish colonial administration of the territory ended” (United Nations News Centre (29 April 2014) Security Council extends UN Western Sahara mission through April 2015).
A report published by the United Nations Security Council in April 2014 notes:
“In the refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria, to the extent that MINURSO and the United Nations agencies on the ground could observe, people were able to conduct their lives in a peaceful and generally calm atmosphere. Major public events, which at times attracted significant numbers of foreign visitors, were held without incident. The socioeconomic status quo, however, began to be brought into question, including by the authorities of the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguía el- Hamra y de Río de Oro (Frente Polisario). In successive meetings with United Nations personnel and Frente Polisario officials, it was suggested that addressing the needs of a situation that can no longer be characterized as a short-term emergency requires policies favouring sustainability and increased self-reliance for the population living in the camps, even as the search for a solution to the conflict continues. Some degree of dissatisfaction among the population in the refugee camps was perceptible, in particular among the youth. There is growing frustration at the lack of progress in the political field and at the difficult socioeconomic conditions in the camps. Several factors have contributed to the worsening conditions. External humanitarian assistance has decreased, owing to constraints faced by donors. The ability of Saharans to find employment in Europe and send remittances to the camps has suffered with the economic downturn. An additional factor has been the economic impact of the increased security measures recently instituted along the border between Algeria and Mauritania. A segment of the camps' population that depends on income from cross-border trade perceived these measures as a limitation of freedom of movement, although the Algerian authorities and Frente Polisario characterized them as a simple regulation, not limitation, of movement” (United Nations Security Council (10 April 2014) Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (April 2014)).
Major events in the Tindouf region between 1975 & 2007
A report published in December 2008 by Human Rights Watch states:
“Beginning in January 1976, large numbers of Sahrawi refugees began moving east toward the Algerian desert around Tindouf, fleeing the Moroccan army’s advances in Western Sahara and the Moroccan air force’s direct attacks” (Human Rights Watch (19 December 2008) Human Rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf Refugee Camps, p.25).
A chronology published in April 2014 by the United Nations Security Council lists:
“27 February 1976 Morocco annexed Western Sahara. The Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) was founded and announced an armed struggle to achieve the right of self- determination. Fighting broke out between the Polisario and the Moroccan and Mauritanian armies. The population fled to refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria” (United Nations Security Council (April 2014) Chronology of Events, Western Sahara).
No further information on this issue could be found among sources available to the RDC.
References
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (13 May 2014) Western Sahara: a spirit of compromise in order to achieve a political solution http://reliefweb.int/report/western-sahara/spirit-compromise-order-achieve-political- solution-western-sahara-conflict Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (21 May 2012) ECHO Factsheet Sahrawi Refugees (May 2012) http://reliefweb.int/report/algeria/echo-factsheet-sahrawi-refugees-may-2012 Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
House of Commons Library (11 February 2014) Western Sahara http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Publications/Detail/?id=178057&lng=en Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
Human Rights Watch (19 December 2008) Human Rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf Refugee Camps http://www.hrw.org/reports/2008/12/19/human-rights-western-sahara-and-tindouf- refugee-camps-0 Attachment not included due to IT limitations Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
Jamestown Foundation (3 December 2013) Oil Exploration and Political Stalemate Threaten to Trigger Renewed Conflict in the Western Sahara http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=printdoc&docid=52a97dd14 Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights (18 April 2013) Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights http://www.ein.org.uk/members/country-report/nowhere-turn-consequences-failure- monitor-human-rights-violations-western-sah This is a subscription database Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
Norwegian Refugee Council (19 December 2013) Occupied Country, Displaced People http://reliefweb.int/report/western-sahara/occupied-country-displaced-people-2 Attachment not included due to IT limitations Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
Reuters (17 April 2014) No U.N. rights monitoring in U.S. draft on Western Sahara mission http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/17/uk-westernsahara-un- idUKBREA3G2CN20140417 Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
United Nations (Undated) MINURSO Mandate http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minurso/mandate.shtml Accessed Tuesday 13 May 2014
United Nations News Centre (29 April 2014) Security Council extends UN Western Sahara mission through April 2015 http://www.ein.org.uk/members/country-report/security-council-extends-un-western- sahara-mission-through-april-2015 This is a subscription database Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
United Nations Security Council (April 2014) Chronology of Events, Western Sahara http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/chronology/western- sahara.php?page=all&print=true Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
United Nations Security Council (10 April 2014) Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (April 2014) http://www.ein.org.uk/members/country-report/report-secretary-general-situation- concerning-western-sahara-april-2014 This is a subscription database Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
UNHCR (30 January 2014) Restoring self-reliance among Sahrawi refugees in Algeria http://www.unhcr.org/52ea22659.html Accessed Tuesday 13 May 2014
UNHCR (1 December 2013) Algeria http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e485e16#ALGTI Attachment not included due to IT limitations Accessed Tuesday 13 May 2014
UNHCR (November 2013) Bridge over troubled desert: A review of the UNHCR confidence building measures programme in Western Sahara and Tindouf http://www.ecoi.net/index.php?js=true&countrychooser_country=&ExtendedSearchF ormTab=adv&ES_countrychooser_country=&ES_query=%22polisario+tindouf%22% 7E9&ES_query_hidden=&ES_source=&ES_documenttype=&ES_origlanguage=&ES _after=&ES_before=&ES_sort_by=1&ES_usethesaurus=on&x=46&y=13 Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
United States Agency for International Development (16 December 2013) Life in Southwest Algeria: A Civil Service Officer from USAID Visits the Remote Sahrawi Refugee Camps http://blog.usaid.gov/2013/12/life-in-southwest-algeria-a-civil-service-officer-from- usaid-visits-the-remote-sahrawi-refugee-camps/ Accessed Wednesday 14 May 2014
United States Department of State (27 February 2014) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013, Algeria http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper Accessed Tuesday 13 May 2014
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Refugee Documentation Centre within time constraints. This response is not and does not purport to be conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please read in full all documents referred to.
Sources Consulted
Amnesty International BBC News Electronic Immigration Network European Country of Origin Information Network Freedom House Google Human Rights Watch Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre International Crisis Group IRIN News Lexis Nexis Minority Rights Group International Online Newspapers Refugee Documentation Centre E-Library Refugee Documentation Centre Query Database Reliefweb Reuters United Kingdom Home Office United States Department of State UNHCR Refworld ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������������������������