Last week, on Tuesday, November 12th, the declassification of two letters sent by UN experts to the governments of Algeria and France on September 13th was announced. These letters were issued under the mandates granted to them and the tasks entrusted to them by the Human Rights Council. The letters addressed the French nuclear tests conducted in the Algerian desert between 1960 and 1966 and their impact on human rights and the environment. To date, the experts have not received any response from either party.
It is noteworthy that the letters were sent by Dr. Marcos Orellana, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and toxics; Professor Fabian Salvioli, the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation, and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence; and Claudia Mahler, the Independent Expert on the Rights of Older Persons.
The UN experts expressed deep concern to the French government about the severe health consequences for the local population, which have extended across generations. They also raised concerns about the inability of victims to access comprehensive information about the nuclear tests conducted by France in the Algerian desert, such as the precise locations of test sites and contaminated areas where radioactive waste was found. The experts called on the French government to provide all information and data related to its nuclear tests in Algeria, including specific locations of radioactive waste. They also requested clarification on whether this information had been fully and transparently disclosed to Algeria, concerned stakeholders, and affected rights holders. Furthermore, they asked for detailed explanations on how victims of the nuclear tests are informed about their rights and the procedures for seeking compensation from France. The experts questioned whether France was prepared to issue a formal apology to Algeria, as well as to the individuals and communities affected by these tests.
The experts also expressed concern about the Algerian government’s failure to monitor health measures, rehabilitate affected areas, and seek international assistance for this purpose. They highlighted the lack of comprehensive information provided by the authorities to the affected populations regarding the ongoing risks and consequences associated with the nuclear tests. The absence of independent victim associations in Algeria was also noted as a significant concern. The experts called on the Algerian government to clarify the steps it has taken to properly inform the population about the persistent risks from these nuclear tests and to specify the measures taken to prevent new victims. They also inquired about the extent of civil society participation in efforts to address the consequences of the disaster.
Based on the principles of the SHOAA Organization, its team has made significant advocacy efforts to highlight the issue of French nuclear tests in Algeria. This was achieved through engagement with rapporteurs and UN experts, bringing the issue back to the attention of international bodies to define responsibilities for the ongoing damage caused by these nuclear tests and their impact on the Algerian desert. However, the UN experts’ communication was met with disregard, as no response was received from either the Algerian or French governments.
SHOAA Organization expected the UN experts to receive a response from the Algerian government within the first week of receiving the letter, considering Algeria is the primary victim of the French nuclear tests. This expectation was particularly strong because President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has frequently discussed the memory issue in his media statements, including the nuclear tests, and has expressed his dissatisfaction with France’s failure to fully assume responsibility for the remnants of these tests in the desert. In his most recent press statement on October 5, 2024, President Tebboune said: “If France wants serious relations with us, let it go down and clean up the places where it conducted its nuclear tests.” Nevertheless, the Algerian authorities’ neglect of the letter was entirely unexpected, indicating a gap between media statements and the will needed to address this file. Additionally, the restrictions imposed on affected populations and environmental activists addressing this issue point to contradictions in the Algerian authorities’ stance.
Therefore, SHOAA Organization expresses its profound disappointment over the lack of response from both parties. It considers the governments’ disregard of the experts’ communication a clear failure to cooperate with UN bodies, despite the importance and sensitivity of the issue.
SHOAA calls on the French government to cooperate with UN bodies on the issue of its nuclear tests in the Algerian desert and to assume responsibility for addressing the “ongoing disaster” caused by these tests, including disclosing classified documents related to them and compensating affected individuals. SHOAA also urges France to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a gesture of goodwill in addressing the consequences of its nuclear tests in Algeria.
Furthermore, SHOAA calls on the Algerian government to cooperate with UN bodies on this issue and to take necessary measures to provide comprehensive information to the affected populations about the ongoing risks and consequences. It also calls for facilitating the work of environmental and health associations and ensuring civil society’s right to access information to enhance national and international efforts to address the catastrophe of French nuclear explosions in Algeria. SHOAA also calls on Algeria to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
• Click here to read the letter from UN experts addressed to the French government.
• Click here to read the letter from UN experts addressed to the Algerian government.
