Geneva, Switzerland, March 4, 2024 (WAS) - Algeria's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Rachid Beladhane, called on the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner to dispatch a fact-finding mission to the occupied territories and provide a detailed report to the Council on the documented violations there.
In his verbal statement to the Human Rights Council, the Algerian ambassador expressed deep concern over the systematic human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Moroccan occupation in the occupied Western Sahara, calling for monitoring of the situation in the region and documenting all violations suffered by the Sahrawi people.
During the opening of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, Algeria criticized the obstinacy of the Moroccan occupation by denying the Sahrawi people their legitimate rights, especially the right to self-determination, in a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
The Algerian ambassador also drew the attention of Council members to Morocco's blatant exploitation of its position as the current president of the Council, organizing a visit to the occupied territories in which ambassadors of some accredited countries in Geneva participated. This proves a lack of respect for the duty of neutrality and the ideals required of the Council's president.
The Algerian diplomat emphasized that the ongoing suffering of the Sahrawi people is a result of the continued military occupation of parts of Western Sahara by the Kingdom of Morocco and its refusal to respect international legitimacy.