In September, United Nations experts sent a letter to the Algerian government regarding the ongoing targeting of human rights defenders, lawyers, independent unions, and civil society organizations in the country. As of now, no response has been received. The communication highlighted incidents related to the harassment of human rights lawyers Toufik Belala, Sofiane Ouali, Omar Boussag, trade unionist Raouf Mellal, human rights activist Yuba Manguellet, environmental activist Karim Khima, journalist Merzoug Touati, and the Collective of the Families of the Disappeared in Algeria.
The letter, sent by UN Special Rapporteurs with mandates on human rights defenders, the promotion of freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, the independence of judges and lawyers, and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, raised concerns about the continued repression of these individuals and organizations.
The experts expressed grave concern over arbitrary detention, intimidation, threats, criminalization, ill-treatment, and restrictions on the freedom of expression, assembly, and association of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and trade unionists in Algeria. They also raised alarms over the frequent use of counterterrorism laws, particularly Article 87 bis of the Penal Code, which has been used to criminalize peaceful activism. The experts stressed that such actions violate international human rights standards, which guarantee the right of lawyers to carry out their professional duties without fear of harassment, intimidation, or restrictions.
The experts demanded the Algerian government to provide clarifications regarding the factual and legal justifications for the arrests, convictions, and judicial harassment of the individuals mentioned in the letter. They also reminded the government of its obligations to ensure due process and the right to a fair trial for all individuals.
Finally, the UN experts called on the Algerian government to take immediate measures to guarantee that human rights defenders, lawyers, independent trade unions, and civil society organizations are able to carry out their legitimate work without fear of harassment, criminalization, or intimidation. The experts emphasized the need for an environment that supports these actors in their efforts to promote human rights in Algeria.
**Read the letter from UN experts to the Algerian government, click here
