NGO: Morocco ‘exploiting human misery’

Following Morocco’s refusal to hand over the stranded Syrian refugees to Algeria, the president of the Algerian Red Crescent has expressed “revolt” and “sadness” to see “Morocco…exploit human misery to settle accounts with Algeria”.

Saïda Benhabyles said:

There are other ways to settle accounts with Algeria than to exploit human suffering, as it does every time. This is not the first time. This is the fourth. Previously, there were sub-Saharans and even Syrians

Earlier this week, Morocco refused to hand over the Syrian nationals to the Algerian delegation which included representatives of the Algerian Red Crescent (CRA), the Foreign Ministry and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

According to Benhabyles, the CRA has mobilised to take in the refugees. “In Bechar, we have prepared all the favourable conditions. We mobilised the doctors and the volunteers,” to receive the refugees.

Read: UN calls on Algeria, Morocco to help stranded Syrian refugees

Morocco has not given a reason for holding the refugees who have been stranded between the two countries’ border since April.

The 42 refugees were stranded when Morocco accused Algeria of forcing them to enter Morocco through Figuig which Algeria rejected saying Moroccan officials had tried to send the group into Algeria instead.