Human Rights Council
Fourth Session
March 21, 2007

Algeria 
Right of Reply

Thank you, Mr. President.  A representative of an NGO Interfaith International during the plenary of this morning made an allegation that has provoked the following comments from my delegation:

Firstly, we don’t want to get involved in a controversy involving the Sahari people.  That is the role of the fourth commission of the General Assembly on the subject of decolonization on the agenda of the United Nations.

Secondly, we affirm “self-determination is not synonymous of independence or separatism but it often leads to integration.”  The Sahari people have an inalienable right to self-determination enshrined in the pertinent resolutions of the United Nations in seeking solutions provided by 15/14 of the 14th of December of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Thirdly, these allegations are not new.  The Sahari population has been acknowledged by the ICIC and by the international community as a refugee population, thus benefiting from the convention relative to the status of refugees.  It’s clear that the humanitarian responsibilities for the Sahari refugees ensue from this convention.  

Fourthly, with regard to humanitarian law, my delegation would like to remind that the HCR has refuted these allegations several times.  By claiming that humanitarian aid has been stolen, this is not true.

Fifthly, the Saharis have found refuge in Algeria and are an integral part of the Sahari people and have their rights provided to them.  The international community has, by consensus, acknowledged this.

Sixthly, and finally, aware of this responsibly, Algeria provides its assistance and help to refugees in close cooperation with humanitarian actors, in particular those of the UN and supports the efforts of the United Nations to ensure that the Sahari people can exercise their right to self-determination.  I thank you, Mr. President.