In Geneva, Morocco denounces the Algerian regime’s repression of protests and reveals the country’s serious deterioration of the social and economic situation
In the 47th session of the Human Rights Council, The Moroccan Delegation stressed the serious deterioration of the situation at the social, economic and political levels in Algeria. The latter that is suffering from the violent repression of popular protests and whose people are deprived of the most basic human rights.
During the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, the Moroccan delegation announced that “in addition to repression, torture, moral and sexual harassment, and arrests targeting activists and protestors in an effort to weaken the hirak movement, the behavior of the dictatorial regime of the generals made Algeria known globally as the country of a million queues.”
The Ambassador, Representative of Morocco in Geneva, Omar Zniber pointed out that several picture displaying a blatant disregard of human rights are spread through social networks. Many of which show Algerians in endless rows, jostling for some flour, a carton of milk or oil bottles. These basic products that are now considered rare commodities, thus making getting them an achievement worth being documented.
The same spokesperson linked these occurrences to the fact that the per capita share of water in Algeria does not exceed 300 cubic meters per year. A number significantly inferior to the minimum international indicator of water poverty, which means that many Algerian citizens do not have water every day, including those living in the capital.
The ambassador wonders then about the fate of the oil profit that the military junta has been reaping for 60 years
The diplomat noted that “given the representative of Algeria’s love to talk about money, perhaps he may offer answers to Algerians as to the substantial embezzlement that cannot be linked to the conviction of only two prime ministers on charges of corruption. For it is evident to the people that their wealth has been plundered for the benefit of the separatist militias and the Military ruling Algeria.
According to Zniber, it is unfortunate to note that Algeria, land of nepotism nowadays, sanctions media outlets up to the closure. The latter that aims to silence these outlets forever in regard to telling the Algerian reader real facts about the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, or The myriad of protests which openly reveal the major issues of the illegal enrichment of the generals and drug smuggling, such as “the cocaine chief,” “down with the military mafia,” or “the military regime to the dustbin of history.”
He pointed out that it is very natural, in light of this tragic situation and the deprivation of the most basic rights, for the Algerians to boycott the polls and renounce the electoral farce of June 12th. These elections in which less than 20 percent of the people participated, realizing that its only goal is to legitimize a military regime with a civilian facade, along with its lackeys and oligarchy.
The Moroccan delegation denounced, once again, the maneuvers of the representative of Algeria, who is trying to divert the attention of the Human Rights Council from the situation in his country through giving rise to prejudice against Morocco.
The Moroccan delegation stressed that “instead of his obsessive focus on Morocco and his pathological desire to undermine the new dynamic that reinforces the historical, political, cultural, religious and economic reality of the Moroccan Sahara, it would be more useful for the Algerian delegate to harness his energy and stubbornness towards other goals. The latter which would be more worthy and in harmony with the goal of our meetings, without vulgar language and disrespect for this body.”
He added: “It would be more appropriate to respond to global inquiries regarding human rights violations in Algeria, and to the demands of millions of young people, who lack prospects, and who take to the streets in order to express their despair and disappointment over their miserable living conditions while demanding a change in a political system that combines nepotism and corruption”.
The Moroccan delegation, which refused to “act as shamefully as the representative of Algeria does” and “respond to his provocations”, pointed out that, in light of the reports of the mechanisms of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and non-governmental organizations which condemn the Algerian rulers for the multiple violations of human rights, the Algerian system is the least qualified give lectures in this regard.
The Moroccan delegation stated that the representative of Algeria failed to emphasize that instead of granting freedom of expression to its national press, the latter was unfortunately directed towards propaganda for the rulers on marginal issues that in no way attract the attention of Algerians, such as media coverage of activities carried out by The “Polisario”.
He wondered “How can the Algerian regime justify to the public opinion the illegal act of bringing Ibrahim Ghali to European soil with forged documents and a false identity? Why was the Algerian media not allowed to investigate and write about the exorbitant sums that were spent in this illegal operation?”
He continued, “If Algeria presents this case as a purely humanitarian obligation, then why was not the health care provided to Ibrahim Ghali in Algerian hospitals, as it is the case for the Algerian people. Is it because the situation there is so tragic that Algerian leaders fear for the lives of their obedient servant?”
On the other hand, Ambassador Zniber, in a letter addressed to the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, reiterated his deep refusal to publish a press statement on the situation of human rights defenders in the Moroccan Sahara.