Amid growing concerns over child welfare in conflict zones, a critical discussion unfolded at the 58th Session Sidelines event, organized by CEEMEL in partnership with the International Research Center for the Prevention of Child Soldiers (IRCPCS). The event, held in Geneva, brought to light the harrowing conditions endured by children in the Tindouf refugee camps, with experts and activists calling for immediate intervention to ensure their safety and well-being.
At the heart of the discussion was the alarming reality faced by thousands of children trapped in Tindouf’s refugee camps. Speakers underscored widespread suffering, forced recruitment, and exploitation, painting a bleak picture of young lives marred by instability and violence. The IRCPCS issued a powerful plea, urging the international community to take swift action for the safe return of these children and the restoration of their fundamental rights.
Dr. Abdelkader Filali, President of the IRCPCS, warned of the systematic militarization of children within the camps, stressing the long-term psychological and societal impact of such exploitation. He emphasized the need for a coordinated global response to dismantle networks that prey on vulnerable children and perpetuate cycles of violence.
Beyond the immediate dangers of exploitation, life in Tindouf remains dire due to severe educational deficiencies, scarce resources, and precarious living conditions.
Dr. Limam Boussif, President of the Regional Association of Young Pioneers in Economics and Politics of Dakhla Oued Eddahab, highlighted the glaring gaps in educational infrastructure, noting that children in the camps are systematically deprived of formal education and denied access to quality learning materials and qualified teachers, in comparison of their pairs in the southern provinces where the primary school enrolment rate is over 95%. This deprivation, he warned, not only threatens the personal development of these children, but also robs an entire generation of future opportunities.
Adding to the conversation, Mostapha Ma Elainine, President of CEEMEL, shed light on the crushing lack of basic necessities, including food, clean water, and medical aid. He described the daily hardships endured by families, stressing that children, as the most vulnerable group, bear the weight of these systemic failures.
The discussion concluded in a resounding call for urgent action from global policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and civil society. Speakers urged governments and international bodies to intervene, implement child protection mechanisms, and work toward sustainable solutions that ensure these children receive the education, healthcare, and security they desperately need.
The event underscored the moral and political responsibility of the global community to act decisively and prevent further suffering. As the plight of Tindouf’s children remains a pressing humanitarian crisis, stakeholders should amplify their voices, and push for tangible reforms to secure a future where every child is free from exploitation and can pursue a life of dignity and opportunity.
