"The RFK center report is blamed by its biased and misinformed character because of the narrow strip of respondents and limited and exclusive meetings that were held," complained the presidents of TCI and LCHR respectively Nancy Huff and Kathryn Porter Cameron, in a report on the assessment of the situation of human rights in the Sahara, following a visit they made in this part of Morocco September10 to 20.

Both human rights organizations in the United States denounced "the lack of cooperation from the Algerian authorities which did not respond to our request to visit the Tindouf camps, southwest of Algeria ". This reaction is "even more regrettable as the Algerian government had granted the same right of access to a  delegation of the RFK center known for its unconditional support for the Polisario".

 
In their evaluation, Porter Cameron, founder of Human Rights Caucus at the United States Congress and Nancy Huff criticize the RFK center of knowingly "ignoring the facts on the ground", "this omission was particularly resented by the people of the Sahara ", to the extent that "tribal leaders told the TCI and LCHR they felt despised and insulted by the RFK Center delegation. "

They also point out that throughout their stay, their delegation "could freely conduct investigations without being subject to any monitoring or harassment." "The delegation was able to see the implementation of the changes that have been made recently in the Moroccan Constitution, in particular with regard to the criminalization of torture, arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances, equal rights of men and women and freedom of expression," they note.

"In addition to the political institutions established in the Sahara, the delegation noted that the Moroccan government provides the population of the region with modern means of communication (Internet and mobile phones)," according to the report .

“A large number of Sahrawis interviewed expressed their full support to the autonomy project, especially those who have endured the horrors of living in the Tindouf camps in Algeria, for decades. They consider this alternative as the only option that will allow them to manage their own affairs in peace and dignity. "

"The United States has clearly stated in this regard that the Moroccan autonomy plan is serious, realistic and credible," said in this context Huff and Cameron Porter, adding that the position had been "recently reaffirmed in the declaration of Ms. Clinton in the bilateral strategic dialogue between Morocco and the United States held in Washington DC in September 2012. "

The resolution of the Sahara conflict and the reopening of borders between Algeria and Morocco constitute "an important step in the process of regional integration which is probably the most effective way to address social and economic challenges facing the region, "noted the LCHR and TCI.

The delegation concluded its report warning against despair and poverty of living conditions in the Tindouf camps that make the youth in the camps sensitive to the lure of jihad and terrorist recruiters such as Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb Islamic (AQIM) and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), established in northern Mali.

- News and events on Western Sahara issue / Corcas -