CONFIDENTIAL
V.
As well as anyone else in Algeria.
6. Legal Protection
i. Yes; generally they are given assistance and not pressured by any organisation or groups except over the rare politically sensitive case (eg a Palestinian).
ii. The UNHCR claim ease of access and generally this is true. However they cannot visit without notification and it is clearly possible through Polisario to prepare for scheduled visits. Once there, however, both UNHCR and other visitors appear to be given freedom to go and talk where and when they like.
The only way to improve the situation would be to end the war. The fact at the moment is that the camps, though outside the war zone, are in a military sensitive zone, to which all visits even by Algerians der governmental authorisation. But almost all requests are granted.
7.
Physical Security of Refugees
The UNHCR (nor others) have had no real problems in this respect. By the nature of the problem there is a potential threat from Moroccan forces but this has never materialised. The camps are spread out for security purposes and are over 60 - 70 kilometres from the war zone.
8. Nature of Refugee Camps
The camps owe their origin to political circumstances and are run by Sahrawis as a nation without other territory. Undoubtedly therefore there is a tendency towards political indoctrination and the fact that a nomadic people has now become sedentary naturally bring a greater sense of national identity.It is unrealistic and too late in the game to suggest that anyone should try to change the established status quo. The UNHCR and others are doing a good job in providing humanitarian assistance within a political and military situation. The nature and structure of their activities even implies recognition of Polisario since they deal all but directly with the SADR. However there is no evidence that the Sahrawis have used the camps or their inmates for military purposes either training or otherwise. Some soldiers do of course return to their families in the camps.
CONFIDENTIAL
6