Sahrawis living in Tindouf camps 'should be free to advocate options other than independence', says HRW

Algiers - Sahrawis living in the Algeria-based Tindouf camps "should be free to advocate options other than independence for the Sahara" without any imposed restrictions by the Polisario leaders, said Saturday Human Right Watch (HRW).

"The Polisario Front should ensure that camp residents are free to challenge its policies and leadership and advocate options other than independence for the Sahara", said HRW, calling on the leaders of the separatist movement to "end military court jurisdiction over civilians and eradicate all vestiges of slavery".

The international human rights watchdog recalled the case of the former Polisario leader Mustapha Salma Ould who was detained in the camps after voicing support to the Moroccan autonomy plan in the Sahara.

"In 2010, the Polisario detained one camp resident for more than two months after he spoke in support of Moroccan rule" while on a visit to the Sahara, pointed out HWR, noting that the front then "sent him across the border to Mauritania and barred him from returning to the refugee camps in Algeria, where his family lives".