| Submit your comments on this article |
| Africa North |
| Morocco activists slam forced marriages |
| 2010-08-09 |
| [Al Arabiya Latest] Moroccan rights activists lashed out at forced marriage campaigns organized by Western Sahara's Polisario Front in the Tindouf camps on the borders with Algeria. More than 1200 underage males and females were married against their will by leaders of the Algeria-backed Polisario front for the liberation of Western Sahara from Morocco. The marriages took place in Tindouf, the movement's headquarters in western Algeria. Polisario authorities set up fully furnished tents for the newly-weds and promised a regular provision of foodstuffs for each couple every two weeks in addition to financial support. According to Moroccan analysts, leaders of the rebel group are trying to make up for the loss of its members after hundreds decided to leave the camps and return to Morocco and to guarantee that younger generations will continue with the struggle for independence. They are also trying to discourage the ones who stayed from following the returnees' example, especially that life in Morocco is more comfortable and more economically prosperous than the relatively harsh conditions in the camps. Activist Naba al-Moussawi, who recently returned from the Tindouf camps, said the rights of Sahrawi girls are systematically violated by the Polisario leadership under the guise of marriage. "They strip the girl of her innocence and say they are marrying her to preserve her chastity," she told Al Arabiya. "This is against women's rights and all international laws and agreements." Another returnee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she managed to avoid forced marriage by running away from the camp. "They force girls as young as 13 years old to marry in order for the movement to guarantee enough offspring for its cause," she told Al Arabiya. |
| Posted by:Fred |