The Moroccan Lawyers’ Club has announced a free legal-support initiative for people living in the Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria who wish to return to Morocco. The service, named “Return Line”, will begin operating on November 16, 2026.
The initiative aims to help prospective returnees understand their legal rights, available procedures and options. It will also provide guidance on the steps involved in returning to Morocco and the arrangements available to those who choose to do so.
According to the club, applicants will be able to contact lawyers through WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal. The service will operate in four languages: Hassaniya, Arabic, French and Spanish.
Applicants will initially be asked to provide basic details, including their name, preferred language and camp of residence. A lawyer assigned to each case will then contact them and follow up on their requests.
The club said it would apply strict professional confidentiality rules. It also said access to personal information and correspondence would be restricted to the lawyer handling each case. Beneficiaries will be able to request the deletion of their personal data at any time.
The initiative will give priority to women living alone, children, older people, patients and people with disabilities. The club said these groups may require additional support and easier access to legal assistance.
Initiative Cites International Principles on Freedom of Movement and Return
The Moroccan Lawyers’ Club said the initiative is based partly on Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The article recognizes everyone’s right to leave any country and to return to their own country.
The club also referred to international principles governing voluntary return. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says voluntary return should be based on a free and informed choice. It should also take place in conditions that ensure safety and dignity.
In a separate report, the club said it could refer requests to relevant United Nations bodies, including UNHCR, with the explicit consent of the people concerned. Any such referral would remain subject to the mandate and procedures of the relevant UN body.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria, where detainees continue to face difficult living conditions, limited access to basic services and persistent humanitarian needs. The situation has renewed attention to the need for effective protection, improved living conditions and durable solutions for those living in the camps.
Against this backdrop, the Moroccan Lawyers’ Club presents “Return Line” as an initiative offering legal assistance to people in the Tindouf camps who wish to return to their homeland, Morocco, and rebuild their lives in conditions of dignity and stability.