Assahafa.com
Morocco’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Majda Moutchou, has criticized the “blatant and selective double standards” to which the Algerian ambassador to the UN resorted regarding the expansion of MINURSO’s mandate to include the human rights component, denouncing “selective political manipulation”.
“One delegation, the only delegation amongst the number of delegations who have spoken at this debate, has mentioned the component of human rights, and tried to link it to MINURSO”, the Moroccan diplomat emphasized in response to the Algerian ambassador’s intervention on Monday during an open debate of the Security Council on strengthening the adaptability of UN peace operations.
She pointed out that Morocco’s delegation has been surprised and astonished by this intervention, “as it reflects a masterclass in selective political manipulation”, noting that the Algerian ambassador “has suddenly discovered a newfound passion for human rights and international law”.
Enlightening the speaker with realities “that are either being purposefully ignored or conveniently chosen to be forgotten”, the diplomat stated that MINURSO’s mandate is crystal clear, it was established by the Security Council to supervise the ceasefire.
“This has been clearly defined by the Security Council, and any attempt, by the Algerian delegation, to distort its role is either misinformed or deliberately misleading”, she underlined, adding that contrary to what has been suggested, seven UN peace operations out of 11, do not have human rights monitoring mandates.
“We too, we ask why the Algerian delegation, in a flagrant and selective double standards, focuses only on MINURSO and turns a blind eye to other peacekeeping operations?”, the diplomat said.
Morocco’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations further pointed out that the Security Council assigns such mandates based on the specific situation on the ground. “It is neither a systematic rule nor an exception—it is a decision made on a case-by-case basis”.
“Furthermore, despite the persistent and desperate attempts of this same delegation, last October 2024, the Security Council rejected, in bloc, the inclusion of a human rights monitoring mechanism in MINURSO’s mandate. This rejection was not accidental—it reaffirmed that the human rights situation in the Moroccan Sahara does not require such a mechanism”, she insisted. “It is a clear message that the Council sees through the politically motivated maneuvers of certain parties”.
Carrying on with the response to the statement by the Algerian ambassador who “seems so deeply concerned” about human rights, Ms Moutchou challenged him on “a far more pressing matter: the Tindouf camps, located on their territory, where the population lives under daily oppression, stripped of their fundamental rights and subjected to severe movement restrictions—clear violations of international law”.
On the other hand, the diplomat underlined that Morocco has consistently demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the promotion of human rights, and upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals, specifying that the Kingdom has continuously engaged with the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council.
Morocco has hosted several visits from UN experts and has cooperated constructively in order to foster transparency, dialogue, and progress, she said, adding that Morocco’s efforts in promoting human rights are not mere words, but concrete actions aimed at ensuring the well-being and dignity of every citizen.
Responding to the Algerian ambassador when he mentioned the right to self-determination, the diplomat revealed a “troubling contradiction”, noting that for Algeria, self-determination is a selective concept. It is weaponized as a political tool against Morocco’s territorial integrity, yet it is conveniently ignored when it comes to legitimate aspirations of other people, who still live under foreign occupation and oppression.
“The UN must pay attention to them all, without exception or selectivity, including on the territory of those States preaching self-determination for others while systematically denying it to the people oppressed on their own land”, she pointed out. “The right to self-determination cannot be a political tool wielded selectively—invoked for some, while ignored for others. It is not a card played for convenience”, she added.
The diplomat concluded by reiterating that “the Sahara has always been an integral part of Morocco. It is Moroccan, and it will remain Moroccan forever. This is not a claim based on recent developments, but a reflection of centuries of historical, cultural, and geographical ties”.
Source: map
