Algeria
People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
“Sixty years after Algeria was recognized as an independent nation, basic freedoms and human rights are still being overlooked, trampled upon or actively curtailed,” said Amna Guellali, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa (June 30,2022).
“The unjustified detention of activists and protestors must end. It is shameful that the Algerian authorities continue the use of overly broad and repressive laws to prosecute individuals solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.”
Authorities continue to arrest, prosecute, detain and convict activists linked to the mass, peaceful protest movement known as Hirak, as well as human rights defenders and journalists for expressing their views or covering protests. Courts have increasingly resorted to terrorism-related charges to prosecute and detain activists and journalists for their alleged ties with two unregistered political organizations. Authorities have disbanded associations within civil society. They also ordered at least three churches to close and prosecuted at least six Christians for exercising their right to freedom of religion. Thousands of asylum seekers and migrants were expelled to Niger without due process. Discrimination against women in law and practice continued, and consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized.
Relevant Links
- Algeria — 2021 Human Rights Report
- Algeria: Further information: Whistleblower activist’s conviction upheld: Mohamed Benhlima
- Algeria: Free Activist Granted Refugee Status in Tunisia
- Suggested recommendations to States under review in the 41st session of the UPR Working Group, November 2022 (including Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia)
- USA: Release cleared men from Guantánamo
- Algeria: Further information: Investigate torture of whistleblower: Mohamed Benhlima
- Algeria: Authorities must release defence lawyers and stop assault on right to fair trial
- Algeria: Release members of Ahmadi religious minority
- OPEN LETTER: IMMEDIATELY RELEASE AND ANNUL THE SENTENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
- Algeria: Shutting Down Civic Space: Submission to the 41st Session of the UPR Working Group, 7-18 November 2022
- Algeria: Journalist must be released immediately: Merzoug Touati
- ALGERIA: SPAIN FORSAKES INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS IN APPALLING REFOULEMENT OF ALGERIAN WHISTLE-BLOWER
- Algeria: Quash conviction of Christian convert and overturn repressive law used to prosecute him
ALGERIA: SILENCING CRITICS AT HOME AND ABROAD
UNPRECEDENTED REPRESSION OF DISSENT IN ALGERIA — please click to take action!
Algeria Newsroom
February 26, 2019 • Report
Human rights in the Middle East and North Africa: A review of 2018
The international community’s chilling complacency towards wide-scale human rights violations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has emboldened governments to commit appalling violations during 2018 by giving them …
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 25, 2015 • Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
May 15, 2013 • Report
Annual Report: Algeria 2013
People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Head of state Abdelaziz Bouteflika Head of government Abdelmalek Sellal (replaced Ahmed Ouyahia in September) The authorities continued to restrict freedoms of expression, association and …
July 13, 2011 • Report
Annual Report: Algeria 2011
Head of state: Abdelaziz Bouteflika Head of government: Ahmed Ouyahiya Death penalty: abolitionist in practice Population: 35.4 million Life expectancy: 72.9 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 35/31 per 1,000 Adult literacy: …
March 19, 2011 • Report
Annual Report: Algeria 2010
Head of state Abdelaziz Bouteflika Head of government Ahmed Ouyahiya Death penalty abolitionist in practice Population 34.9 million Life expectancy 72.2 years Under-5 mortality (m/f) 35/31 per 1,000 Adult literacy …
May 18, 2016 • Press Release
Repression on the rise in Algeria as peaceful protesters face imprisonment
The Algerian authorities must end their relentless efforts to silence peaceful protesters, said Amnesty International ahead of the start of the trial tomorrow of four protesters from the southern city of Ouargla who are facing up to a year in prison for taking part in protests against unemployment in Algeria’s oil capital, Hassi Messaoud.
February 22, 2016 • Press Release
Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
February 18, 2016 • Press Release
Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
May 9, 2013 • Press Release
Algeria’s New Law on Associations Being Used to Stifle Civil Society
The conviction of an activist in Algeria after he distributed leaflets about unemployment in the country is a worrying sign that a new law regulating associations is being used to restrict civil society groups’ activities, Amnesty International said.
