On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, presented her report on Algeria. The report followed her official visit to the country from November 25 to December 5, 2023. During this visit, she held extensive meetings with government officials and human rights defenders to assess the state of fundamental freedoms and Algeria’s commitment to its international obligations.
The report presents a concerning picture of the human rights situation in Algeria, highlighting the grave challenges faced by human rights defenders. It documents the increasing repression targeting activists, journalists, lawyers, trade unionists, and civil society as a whole. This includes arbitrary arrests, systematic criminalization of human rights activities, and growing restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The report also expresses deep concern over the misuse of anti-terrorism laws, particularly Article 87 bis of the Penal Code, as a tool to silence critical voices and restrict fundamental freedoms. Additionally, it highlights the risks faced by human rights defenders due to their cooperation with UN mechanisms, including arbitrary detention, travel bans, heightened surveillance, and media smear campaigns.
The Special Rapporteur pointed out that the media coverage of her visit demonstrated a stark contrast in narratives regarding the human rights situation in Algeria. Her meetings with government officials received extensive coverage in state media, which focused on showcasing government efforts to improve human rights while simultaneously ignoring the core concerns she raised. In contrast, independent media highlighted the documented violations and emphasized the challenges faced by human rights defenders in the country.
SHOAA strongly asserts that the findings of the report reflect a serious reality of escalating repression against human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, and trade unionists in an environment filled with fear and intimidation. This situation has undermined civil society’s role and weakened human rights defenders amid repressive legislation and abusive practices aimed at silencing opposition voices and reinforcing a climate of surveillance and fear.
In this context, SHOAA fully supports the report’s findings and strongly endorses its recommendations, which include the immediate and unconditional release of all human rights defenders detained for their peaceful and legitimate activities, a review of repressive laws—particularly those criminalizing freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and association—an end to retaliatory measures against activists, and guarantees for their right to operate freely and safely. Additionally, SHOAA calls for strengthening the independence of the National Human Rights Council to enable it to effectively protect rights and freedoms, as well as lifting restrictions imposed on civil society organizations to ensure a safe environment for human rights work in accordance with international standards.
SHOAA emphasizes that respecting human rights and protecting defenders is not an option but an international obligation that Algeria must fulfill. The continued repression of critical voices and restrictions on freedoms constitute blatant violations of the international treaties and agreements ratified by Algeria. Furthermore, SHOAA stresses that safeguarding human rights defenders is crucial for building a more just and transparent society, as they play a key role in strengthening the rule of law and defending the rights of individuals and communities.
In this regard, SHOAA urges the Algerian authorities to immediately implement the recommendations outlined in the report and take concrete steps to ensure the protection of human rights defenders instead of persecuting and defaming them. Additionally, SHOAA calls on the Human Rights Council to closely monitor the implementation of the report’s recommendations and continue exerting pressure to ensure Algeria complies with its international human rights obligations.
