On October 12, 2023, the Algerian Supreme Court rejected two appeals made by Ihsane El Kadi’s lawyers, effectively upholding his seven-year sentence, which includes five years in prison and two years on probation. Imprisoned since December 24, 2022, Ihsane El Kadi had been convicted because of his writing. Authorities should ensure Ihsane El Kadi’s immediate release from El Harrach prison.
take action:
- Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
- Click here to let us know the actions you took on Third Urgent Action 37.23. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
contact information:
President of the Republic of Algeria
Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Présidence de la République
Place Mohammed Seddik Benyahiya, El Mouradia,
Alger 16000 Algérie
Fax: +213021691595
Email: [email protected]
Algerian Embassy in the United States
His Excellency Ambassador Mohammed Haneche
2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 265-2800
Email: [email protected]
sample letter:
Your Excellency,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the ongoing detention of journalist, Ihsane El Kadi following the decision by the Algerian Supreme Court to reject his appeal and thus uphold his sentences of seven years, which are based on trumped up and vague charges.
On October 12, 2023, Algeria’s highest court rejected two appeals filed by Ihsane El Kadi’s lawyers. The first cassation appeal contested Ihsane El Kadi’s sentencing for receipt of foreign funds with the intent to “undermine state security,” based on his financing of his independent media company. The second appeal was related to an earlier conviction of Ihsane El Kadi for an article he published which explored the role of the non-recognized political party, Rachad, in the protest movement, Hirak.
I urge you to grant Ihsane El Kadi a presidential pardon. I further demand that you end the targeted crackdown and censorship of independent media and journalists in Algeria through vaguely worded articles of the Penal Code which are used to violate the right to freedom of expression.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Additional Resources:
- READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION: Wordopens in a new tab or PDFopens in a new tab
- GET INSPIRED: Read about the people you have helped
- READ TIPS for writing effective letters and emails
- CONTACT US: [email protected]