On the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, SHOAA for Human Rights organized an online webinar on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, titled “Human Rights in Algeria: Challenges and Perspectives.” The event was moderated by Program Manager Imène Hmili and featured speakers including Rachid Aouine, Director of SHOAA for Human Rights; Nadège Lahmer, Researcher at Amnesty International; Estelle Allemann, Legal Researcher at MENA Rights Group; and Yassin Osman, Program Lawyer at the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute.
The speakers highlighted the severe and systematic human rights violations perpetrated by the Algerian authorities and called for intensified efforts to protect rights and freedoms in Algeria.
At the start of the webinar, Rachid Aouine, Director of SHOAA for Human Rights, provided an overview of the human rights situation in Algeria, describing it as significantly deteriorating. He highlighted the ongoing assaults faced by citizens, particularly in the years following the peaceful Hirak movement, which called for freedom and democracy. He shed light on the grave violations committed by the Algerian authorities against the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, as well as the arbitrary arrests targeting activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents. He also emphasized the abuses carried out under the guise of combating terrorism.
“In light of the blatant violations of the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Algerian authorities, we reaffirm our relentless work and continued struggle to promote human rights and achieve justice, freedom, and equality in Algeria.”
Rachid Aouine, Director of SHOAA for Human Rights
Nadège Lahmer, a researcher at Amnesty International, spoke about the closure and restriction of civic space, as well as the harassment and arrests targeting political activists. She highlighted the arbitrary suspension of political parties, media outlets, and associations, as well as the imposition of travel bans on activists and human rights defenders. Lahmer also drew attention to the restrictions on the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association and the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to suppress dissent.
She stated, “The continued closure of civic space by Algerian authorities has created an atmosphere of fear and censorship in the country. The persistent use of terrorism charges, ongoing intolerance towards peaceful gatherings, and the adoption of recent legislation restricting freedom of expression and the press are particularly concerning.”
“The authorities must end their brutal campaign, immediately release those detained simply for peacefully exercising their human rights, and ensure the protection of people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association in the country.”
Nadège Lahmer, Researcher at Amnesty International
Estelle Allemann, a legal researcher at MENA Rights Group, highlighted the Algerian legal framework and its increasing use to target activists and human rights defenders. She drew attention to amendments to the Penal Code that restrict freedoms, particularly provisions related to foreign funding. She also criticized anti-terrorism laws with their vague definitions, which are being used to silence dissent.
She stated, “The high number of prisoners of conscience in Algeria is no coincidence. It is the result of a deliberate and systematic legal framework designed to suppress peaceful activism. This framework includes problematic anti-terrorism legislation and Penal Code provisions, such as Articles 95 bis and 196 bis, which are used to violate fundamental freedoms.”
“Despite these challenging circumstances, human rights defenders and activists in Algeria continue their critical work, reflecting the country’s proud revolutionary history. This is work that deserves respect.”
Estelle Allemann, Legal Researcher at MENA Rights Group
Yassin Osman, a program lawyer at the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, spoke about the violations faced by lawyers defending Hirak detainees and prisoners of conscience in Algeria. He highlighted instances of arbitrary arrests, judicial prosecutions, harassment, and even travel bans imposed on these lawyers due to their defense of Hirak detainees. He also shed light on the legal obstacles that hinder their work, which have led to the criminalization of their legitimate activities and the denial of fair trials for human rights defenders and lawyers. These actions violate international legal standards and Algeria’s international commitments. He also emphasized that the judiciary in Algeria lacks independence, undermining justice and exposing it to significant risks.
“The road to freedom is long, and out of admiration for the Algerian people, I would like to tell them that they are not alone in this struggle.”
Yassin Osman, Program Lawyer at IBAHRI
This online webinar was not only a commemoration of International Human Rights Day but also a platform to amplify advocacy and promote human rights in Algeria. The participants emphasized the collective need to deepen the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and called for unified action to document and condemn systematic human rights violations and restrictions on freedoms in Algeria.
They underscored the urgent need for a unified global response to protect the fundamental rights of Algerians and urged the Algerian authorities to honours their commitments under international human rights treaties. They also called for the establishment of a genuine dialogue between the Algerian authorities and civil society organizations.
- Watch the webinar in full, visit our Youtube Channel click here
