"I welcome positive steps taken by Morocco in the protection of human rights, including the adoption of the new Code of Military Justice and adherence to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture," said Ban Ki -moon in his latest report to the UN Security Council on the situation in the Sahara, which has just been published.

 

While making no recommendation on the expansion of the MINURSO, Ban Ki-moon’s report highlights the need to conduct a census in the Tindouf camps.

“I note continuing questions about the number of refugees requiring assistance. These highlight the need to address the registration of the refugee population,” the UN chief said in paragraph 77 of his annual report.

This is the first time the UNSG’s annual report on the territorial dispute has included a recommendation calling for a census in the Tindouf camps.

Conducting a census in the camps has been a longstanding request from the Moroccan government, which has long accused Algeria and the Polisario of inflating the number of people said to be living there.

 

- News and events on Western Sahara issue / Corcas-