Last updated: 3 June 2025
Update
The Algerian president decided to advance the presidential elections to September 7, 2024 instead of the originally scheduled date in December 2024. In the run-up to that vote, the authorities continued to restrict civil society. In particular, members of the political opposition were intimidated and harassed. On September 7, 2024, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was re-elected for a second five-year term. The start of his term was marked by a large-scale amnesty pronounced on November 1, 2024, which benefited a number of prisoners of conscience, including prominent journalist Ihsane El Kadi, who had been imprisoned since December 2022. Despite this positive step, the Algerian authorities continued to prosecute and arrest individuals exercising their fundamental human rights in early 2025. In particular, the authorities targeted people who started and joined the #ManichRadi (I am not satisfied) hashtag campaign that went viral on social media. Please see the News Items section below in this report for additional details.
Introduction
Civil society in Algeria operates in a highly constrained environment, with legislation restricting the exercise of civil and political rights. Algeria’s legal system is largely inspired by French law and jurisprudence but also contains elements of Islamic law.
The 2012 Law on Associations (Law 12-06 of 2012) [French] [عربي] generally fails to protect the freedom of association in line with Algeria’s international obligations. Also in 2012, Algeria’s government adopted a new Law on Information, which placed substantial restrictions on associations’ ability to publish and disseminate information.
Since 2020, a series of laws have been introduced that further restrict fundamental freedoms. Notably, authorities are increasingly using anti-terrorism legislation to prosecute peaceful dissidents.
This Civic Freedom Monitor (CFM) country note was made possible through research conducted by MENA Rights Group.
AT A GLANCE
Organizational Forms
Associations
Registration Body
The President of the People’s Communal Assembly (for communal associations); the governor of the province in which the association is headquartered (for Wilaya, or provincial, associations); and the Ministry of the Interior for national or inter-Wilaya associations.
Approximate Number
108,940 (source: Ministry of Interior)
Barriers to Entry
Mandatory registration, restrictions on founders, and excessive government discretion.
Barriers to Activities
No “organic or structural relations” with political parties. The 2012 Law on Associations provides a limited number of areas in which associations can engage, including “professional, social, scientific, religious, educational, cultural, sports, environmental, charitable and humanitarian domains.” The government can suspend an association if it believes the association’s activities interfere with the “internal affairs” or threaten the “national sovereignty” of the country. In addition, the Law further prohibits any “organic or structural relations” with political parties. (Similar restrictions are contained in the 2022 draft Law on Associations, which, if adopted, would replace the 2012 Law on Associations).
Law No. 23-02 on the Exercise of Trade Union Rights also prohibits trade unions from conducting political activities and having ties with or receiving support from political parties. It also prohibits their founding members and leaders from declaring their support for political parties and for any political figure.
Barriers to Speech and/or Advocacy
Other barriers stem particularly from laws criminalizing activism and expression on certain subjects, such as violations committed by the authorities during the 1990s civil war as a result of the terms of the 2006 Charter on Peace and National Reconciliation. Other restrictions integrated in the Penal Code also constitute barriers, particularly those chilling criticism against the President and the army.
Barriers to International Contact
Prior approval is required before an association can enter into a “cooperation agreement” with any international association or foreign entity. The government has broad discretion to withdraw authorization for a foreign association to operate in Algeria. In addition, article 23 of the 2012 Law on Associations provides that the cooperation with foreign NGOs is only allowed with the prior authorization of the authorities.
Barriers to Resources
Associations are prohibited from receiving funds from foreign funders outside of “official cooperation relationships,” which is an undefined term. The law states that “apart from duly established cooperation relations”, associations are prohibited from receiving donations, subsidies or any other contribution from any “foreign legations or non-governmental organizations”, and that such funding is subject to prior approval by the competent authority. In addition, in 2020, the Penal Code was amended introducing article 95 bis, which sanctions with “imprisonment of five to seven years and a fine of 500,000 to 700,000 Algerian Dinars, anyone who receives funds, a gift or an advantage, by any means, from a State, an institution or any other public or private body or from any legal or natural person, inside or outside the country, to carry out or incite to carry out acts likely to undermine the security of the State, the stability and normal functioning of its institutions, national unity, territorial integrity, the fundamental interests of Algeria or public security and order. The penalty shall be doubled when the funds are received within the framework of an association, group, organization or agreement, regardless of its form or name.”
Barriers to Assembly
Prior authorization by, and at the discretion of, the executive on the basis of vague criteria, such as national principles, the public order or public decency; excessively long advance notice of eight days; criminal sanctions for any public assembly not meeting the prescribed conditions; and the Penal Code prohibits “unarmed gatherings” and disobeying orders to disperse and carry up to 12-months in prison. In addition, a blanket ban on protests and other assemblies in Algiers has remained in place after the state of emergency was lifted in 2011, even though authorities have not published the decree. According to an official statement issued by the Algerian Ministry of Interior in May 2021, organizers of public assemblies are also now required to notify the authorities of the names of those organizing an assembly, the starting and ending times, the route, and the slogans used as part of the public gathering.
KEY INDICATORS
Population
46,164,219 (2023 est.)
Capital
Algiers
Type of Government
Republic
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male: 75 years
Female: 78 years (2021 est.)
Literacy Rate
Male: 87.4%
Female: 75.3% (2021 est.)
Religious Groups
Sunni Muslim (state religion): 99%; Other, including Christian and Jewish: <1%
Ethnic Groups
Arab-Berber: 99%; European: less than 1%
GDP Per Capita (PPP)
$16,824 (2023 est.)
Source: The World Factbook. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency.
INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS
Ranking Body
Rank
Ranking Scale
(best – worst possible)
Status: Not Free (2024)
Overall Ranking: 32
Political Rights: 10
Civil Liberties: 22
(2024)
Free/Partly Free/Not Free
100 – 1
40 – 1
60 – 1
LEGAL SNAPSHOT
International and Regional Human Rights Agreements
Key International Agreements
Ratification*
Year
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Yes
1989
Optional Protocol to ICCPR (ICCPR-OP1)
Yes
1989
International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
Yes
1989
Optional Protocol to ICESCR (OP-ICESCR)
No
—
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)
Yes
1972
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
Yes
1996
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
No
—
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Yes
1993
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (ICRMW)
Yes
2005
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Yes
2009
Key Regional Agreements
Ratification*
Year
Arab Charter on Human Rights
Yes
2007
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Yes
1987
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
Yes
2003
Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community
Yes
2001
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
Yes
2003
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Yes
2003
* Category includes ratification, accession, or succession to the treaty
Constitutional Framework
The first Algerian Constitution was passed in 1963 by referendum, following the end of the War of Independence with France. Algeria’s second constitution was passed in 1976 during the Boumédienne era; it recognized the freedom to associate and form organizations. After public uprisings in 1988, a third constitution was adopted, expanding on several individual freedoms, including by allowing citizens to elect representatives and form political parties. Parts of this constitution were suspended following the 1992 military coup, however, when the government declared a state of emergency. The constitution was again modified in 1996, 2002, and 2008, though without substantial changes with regard to individual rights and freedoms.
The 2011 revolution in neighboring Tunisia and signs of growing discontent among Algerians led President Bouteflika to promise a raft of reforms that included constitutional revisions. Consultations on recommended changes took place from 2011 to late 2015, when President Bouteflika approved the draft amendments, and Parliament approved them in February 2016. Among other things, the amendments reinstated a two-term limit on the office of the presidency, and a requirement that the prime minister be selected from the parliamentary majority rather than directly chosen by the president.
On November 1, 2020 Constitutional changes were passed after a popular referendum with a record low voter turnout was held. The revised Constitution limits the role of the army to “the consolidating and developing of the Nation’s defensive capabilities; preserving national independence and defending national sovereignty; and protecting the unity of the country and the integrity of its territory” (Article 30). However, it does not prohibit the armed forces from intervening in the political or economic affairs of the country. It additionally does not provide for civilian oversight of the armed forces, though under the adopted constitution, the president remains the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and in charge of national defense.
The amendments to the Constitution also placed more power in the hands of the president, providing him with the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister, one-third of the upper chamber of Parliament, ministers, judges, the head of the supreme court, the head of the higher administrative court, the head of the court of accounts, and the head of the constitutional court. Under this amended Constitution, the president of the republic also serves as the president of the Higher Judicial Council, and his powers are unchecked; he is unimpeachable and may dissolve the People’s National Assembly under any circumstances.
Under article 39 of the amended Constitution, torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment is punishable by law, but cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment is neither prohibited nor criminalized. Article 44, moreover, maintains that no person shall be arrested, detained or prosecuted for reasons other those provided by the law and mandates that persons must be provided with the reason behind their arrest. It also holds that acts of arbitrary detention be punished and that pre-trial detention only be used as an exceptional measure. Although the Constitution holds that acts of arbitrary detention be punished and that pre-trial detention only be used as an exceptional measure, it falls short of guaranteeing the right of everyone “to liberty and the security of person.”
Finally, although articles 52 and 53 of the Constitution provide that freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration are guaranteed and that the right to create associations are guaranteed and may be exercised by simple declaration, these rights are seriously limited in law and in practice. Similarly, while freedom of opinion and expression are enshrined in articles 51 and 52 of the Constitution, articles 54 and 55 state that freedom of the press must be exercised in “respect of the fundamental religious, moral and cultural values of the nation” and not infringe on “the legitimate interests of companies and the requirements of national security.”
National Laws and Regulations Affecting Sector
Relevant national legislation includes the following:
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- Law amending the Penal Code (Law no. 24-06 of April 28, 2024 amending and supplementing Ordinance no. 66-156 of June 8, 1966, on the Criminal Code) [Français]: the new and amended provisions are detrimental to the exercise of fundamental freedoms in the country and disregard numerous concerns voiced by civil society actors as well as several UN bodies. Among the most problematic amendments is the expansion of the definition of terrorism under article 87 bis, which fails to align with international standards and lacks the necessary level of legal certainty. Of particular concern is the fact that individuals may be listed on a national list of terrorist persons and entities based only on “serious corroborating evidence”, in the absence of a final judgment. Other amendments will further restrict the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. These include provisions related to undermining the morale of the military, defaming public institutions, damaging the reputation of security services, distributing content for “propaganda purposes”, and enabling the repression of “unarmed gatherings”.
- Law amending the Penal Code (Law 24-06 of 2024 amending and completing Ordinance 66-156 of June 8, 1966, on the Penal Code) [Français] [عربي]: The law reinforces a repressive legal arsenal and further limits fundamental rights in the country. One of the most controversial provisions provides for penalties ranging from five years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment for those who “divulge confidential information and documents relating to national security and/or the national economy, via social networks or to foreign countries or one of their agents”.
- Law on Associations (Law 12-06 of 2012) [Français] [عربي]: The law replaces the highly restrictive Law on Associations (Law 90-31 of 1990) [English] [عربي] [Français], but still fails to adequately guarantee the right to freedom of association consistent with Algeria’s international obligations. The new law affords the government broad discretion to refuse to register an association and suspend the activities of an association, places restrictions on the founders of associations, limits associations’ ability to receive foreign funds, imposes heavy fines and criminal penalties for members or leaders of informal associations, and fails to provide associations with an adequate remedy to appeal the rejection of their registration.
- Law on Information (Law 12-05 of 2012) [Français]: This law replaces the 1990 media law and can be used to circumscribe journalism and access to information in several major subject areas, including national identity, sovereignty, the economy, and security. The law requires all publications to have prior approval by a media regulatory authority. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least thirty-two provisions can be used to repress free expression, and many are broadly written and could serve as a pretext for unwarranted censorship. Violations under this law can result in fines of up to 500,000 Algerian Dinars.
- Organic law No. 23-14 on Information [Français], which came into force on August 27, 2023, contains a number of provisions that violate the right to freedom of expression. Although the law repealed any provisions contained in the pre-existing Information Code of 2012 (Law 12-05 of 2012) that contradict the new legislation, the text contains vaguely formulated standards governing the activities of journalists, stipulating they must respect “the Muslim religion, Islam in the national context, and other religions, national identity, national norms, the moral and cultural values of the nation, national sovereignty, national unity and territorial unity.” In a similar vein, the law compels journalists to refrain from publishing or disseminating “false or malicious news”, a crime already punishable with one to three years in prison under the Penal Code. Another area of concern is the ban on Algerians with dual nationality to own or hold shares in Algerian media outlets. Equally concerning, the law reiterates the existing requirement for journalists to obtain “accreditation” to work in Algeria for foreign media, and sanctions with a fine for “any person working in Algeria for a foreign media without accreditation”. In the past, the Algerian authorities have used the need for an accreditation as a way to crack down on foreign media that were deemed too critical. The new law also forbids “direct or indirect funding from a foreign entity” and subjects offenders to a fine.
- Law on the print and electronic press No. 23-19 and Law No. 23-20 on audio-visual activities [Français]: The law on the print and electronic press provide for the creation of a regulatory authority for print and electronic media, while the law on audio-visual activities amends the status of the audio-visual regulatory authority created in 2014. The latter takes precedence over any provisions contained in law No. 14-04 of February 24, 2014 on audiovisual activities. Both texts provide that all the members of both regulatory authorities will be appointed by the President of the Republic, which raises serious concerns about their independence. They came into force in December 2023.
- Law on Public Meetings and Gatherings (Law 19-91 of 1990) [Français]: The law requires organizers of public marches and demonstrations in outdoor public spaces and thoroughfares to apply for prior authorization from interior ministry officials, eight days in advance of the event. Organizers of temporary public “gatherings” are required to notify officials three days in advance. The law allows those officials to deny authorization if the meeting or demonstration “opposes the national values (constantes nationales) or […] undermines the symbols of the Revolution of November 1, the public order, or morality.” This law extends to news conferences held in locations such as hotels.
- Ordinance on the Conditions and Rules of Practice of Faiths other than Islam (Ordinance 06-03 of 2006) [Français]: The text criminalizes religious activities not regulated by the state and requires religious faiths other than Islam to be practised only in places approved by the state. It also provides fir the establishment of a national commission on religious faiths, empowered to regulate the registration of religious associations.
- Law No. 90-14 of June 2, 1990 on the exercise of the right to organize [Français]: This law does not allow migrant workers who are regularly working in Algeria to form unions and organize. Although it provides for a declaratory procedure for the registration of unions, in practice independent unions often face the administration’s refusal to register them, creating a de facto system of approval. The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families recommended that the law be amended in their 2018 concluding observations. In 2016, the International Labor Organization recommended that Algerian authorities end the practice of preventing the registration of autonomous unions and revise section 6 of law No. 90-14 without further delay so as to “secure to all workers, without distinction as to nationality, the right to establish a trade union.” This law was replaced by Law No. 23-02 of April 25, 2023 on the exercise of the right to organize [Français]. In March 2023, the authorities passed a draft law on the exercise of the right to organize, which establishes a list of sectors deemed “sensitive” for which the right to strike may be restricted. The sectors in question could include national education, higher education, and health. The draft law also delineates the boundaries between trade unions and political practice and set out the modalities for the creation of a trade union and the conditions required for membership in one in order to put an end to “trade union transhumance”.
- Ordinance No. 21-08 [Français]. The Ordinance came into force on June 9, 2021. The Ordinance, through its article 2, introduces two new paragraphs to article 87 bis of the Penal Code, expanding the definition of terrorism to include acts aimed at “working or inciting, by any means, whatsoever, to gain power or to change the system of governance by unconstitutional means,” and “undermining the integrity of the national territory or incite to do so, by any means whatsoever.” Article 3 of Ordinance 21-08 additionally introduces article 87 bis 13 and 14 into the Penal Code, thus establishing a national list of terrorist persons and entities in Algeria, prohibiting “the activity of the person or of the entity,” placing a travel ban on listed individuals and freezing and seizing their funds and assets. Based on article 87 bis 14, individuals can be designated as terrorists in the absence of a final court judgement, in contradiction to the principle of presumption of innocence enshrined in article 14(2) of the ICCPR.
- Law No. 09-04 of August 5, 2009 regulating the prevention of and the fight against offences linked to Information and Communication Technologies [Français]
- Law No. 05-01 of February 6, 2005 on the Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, modified by Ordinance No. 12-02 of February 13, 2012 and approved by Law No. 12-10 of March 26, 2012 [Français]
- Law No. 16-13 of November 3, 2016 establishing the National Council for Human Rights, its composition, and terms of appointment of its members, as well as the rules relating to its organization and functioning [Français]
- Decree Governing the Electronic Press (Decree No. 20-332). The decree came into force on November 22, 2020 following its publication in the Official Gazette [Français]. Article 5 of the Decree introduces excessive restrictions, stating that directors responsible for online news outlets must, inter alia, hold Algerian nationality, must not have been deprived of their civil and political rights, and must not have been convicted of the crimes of defamation, insult, contempt, discrimination, or hatred and incitement to such crimes. This provision is particularly concerning because the authorities regularly press such charges against individuals peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression. Under the decree, the director responsible for an online news outlet must ensure the respect of the provisions in Law No. 12-05, which is known as the “information code” and imposes excessive constraints on the content of sharable information (Article 13). According to CSOs, the Decree will strengthen “the control of political power over freedom of expression online”.
- Ordinance No. 21-09 which also came into force on June 9, 2021, relates to the protection of administrative documents and information. The Ordinance classifies documents according to their degree of sensitivity and establishes punishments for the publishing or disclosure of classified documents. According to article 25 of the Ordinance, competent judicial police officers may also place invasive surveillance tools on individuals, without judicial oversight and authorization.
- Ordinance No. 95-11 of February 25, 1995; Law No. 01-09 of June 26, 2001; Law No. 06-23 of December 20, 2006 amended article 87 bis of the Criminal Code on the list of crimes considered to be terrorist, which has been the subject of concern since the article defines the crime of terrorism in overly broad and vague terms, allowing for prosecution of acts that should be protected as acts of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
- Law No. 09-04 of August 5, 2009 regulating the prevention of and the fight against offences linked to Information and Communication Technologies
- Law n° 23-02 of April 25, 2023 relating to the exercise of trade union rights [Français]: This law forbids union members from participating in political activities and unions from having any ties with political parties. The law also conditions the right to strike on “not harming the principles of the continuity of public service, the protection of people’s and property’s security,” vague concepts that authorities could interpret to arbitrarily restrict strikes.
- Ordinance No. 06-01 of February 27, 2006 implementing the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation [Français]: Article 45 rejects any complaint on violations committed during the internal conflict, including violations of jus cogens norms, as inadmissible before courts. Article 46 prescribes a penalty of imprisonment and a fine for any person who “attacks the institutions of the State,” or “impugns the honor of its officials or tarnishes its international reputation.” This article creates a climate of self-censorship and a chilling effect on civil society as it encompasses all form of criticism against state security forces for violations committed during the internal conflict.
- Ordinance No. 21-08 [Français]. The Ordinance came into force on June 9, 2021. The Ordinance, through its article 2, introduces two new paragraphs to article 87 bis of the Penal Code, expanding the definition of terrorism to include acts aimed at “working or inciting, by any means, whatsoever, to gain power or to change the system of governance by unconstitutional means,” and “undermining the integrity of the national territory or incite to do so, by any means whatsoever.” Article 3 of Ordinance 21-08 additionally introduces article 87 bis 13 and 14 into the Penal Code, thus establishing a national list of terrorist persons and entities in Algeria, prohibiting “the activity of the person or of the entity,” placing a travel ban on listed individuals and freezing and seizing their funds and assets. Based on article 87 bis 14, individuals can be designated as terrorists in the absence of a final court judgement, in contradiction to the principle of presumption of innocence enshrined in article 14(2) of the ICCPR.
- Law No. 09-04 of August 5, 2009 regulating the prevention of and the fight against offences linked to Information and Communication Technologie
- Ordinance No. 95-11 of February 25, 1995; Law No. 01-09 of June 26, 2001; Law No. 06-23 of December 20, 2006 amended article 87 bis of the Penal Code on the list of crimes considered to be terrorist, which has been the subject of concern since the article defines the crime of terrorism in overly broad and vague terms, allowing for prosecution of acts that should be protected as acts of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
- Decree Governing the Electronic Press (Decree No. 20-332). The decree came into force on November 22, 2020 following its publication in the Official Gazette [Français]. Article 5 of the Decree introduces excessive restrictions, stating that directors responsible for online news outlets must, inter alia, hold Algerian nationality, must not have been deprived of their civil and political rights, and must not have been convicted of the crimes of defamation, insult, contempt, discrimination, or hatred and incitement to such crimes. This provision is particularly concerning because the authorities regularly press such charges against individuals peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression. Under the decree, the director responsible for an online news outlet must ensure the respect of the provisions in Law No. 12-05, which is known as the “information code” and imposes excessive constraints on the content of sharable information (Article 13). According to CSOs, the Decree will strengthen “the control of political power over freedom of expression online”.
- Ordinance No. 95-11 of February 25, 1995; Law No. 01-09 of June 26, 2001; Law No. 06-23 of December 20, 2006 amended article 87 bis of the Penal Code on the list of crimes considered to be terrorist, which has been the subject of concern since the article defines the crime of terrorism in overly broad and vague terms, allowing for prosecution of acts that should be protected as acts of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
- Ordinance No. 21-08 [Français]. The Ordinance came into force on June 9, 2021. The Ordinance, through its article 2, introduces two new paragraphs to article 87 bis of the Penal Code, expanding the definition of terrorism to include acts aimed at “working or inciting, by any means, whatsoever, to gain power or to change the system of governance by unconstitutional means,” and “undermining the integrity of the national territory or incite to do so, by any means whatsoever.” Article 3 of Ordinance 21-08 additionally introduces article 87 bis 13 and 14 into the Penal Code, thus establishing a national list of terrorist persons and entities in Algeria, prohibiting “the activity of the person or of the entity,” placing a travel ban on listed individuals and freezing and seizing their funds and assets. Based on article 87 bis 14, individuals can be designated as terrorists in the absence of a final court judgement, in contradiction to the principle of presumption of innocence enshrined in article 14(2) of the ICCPR.
Pending NGO Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives
On June 19, 2022, the Council of Ministers examined a draft Law on Associations that, if approved, would abrogate the 2012 Law on Associations, which currently subjects NGOs to a prior authorization procedure. The draft Law aims to create a declaratory regime for the creation of associations (thus removing the prior authorization requirement), as provided for in article 53 of the 2020 Algerian Constitution. However, at the same time, the text, if approved, would subject an association’s stated objectives to even more vague and imprecise general criteria, such as the “respect for national constants, principles, values enshrined in the constitution, national and territorial unity, the fundamentals of national identity, the symbols of the State and its institutions, national security and defence, public order and good morals.” In addition, cooperation with foreign organizations and the receipt of funds from abroad would be subject to prior clearance by the authorities. The text has been placed on Parliament’s agenda for the 2024-2025 ordinary session. In January 2025, the National Civil Society Observatory (ONSC) organized a civil society consultation on the draft law. However, the consultation’s impact is undermined by the fact that the main Algerian CSOs have been dissolved in recent years, which negatively affects CSO participation in the consultation.
The Algerian parliament is also working on a draft Law on Political Parties, which provides that a political party that fails to take part in two consecutive elections may be dissolved by court order. This is aimed at political parties that have decided to boycott elections.
Lastly, Parliament is due to examine a bill setting out the conditions and procedures for the exercise of freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration. Freedom of assembly is currently governed by the 1991 Law on Public Meetings and Gatherings.
Please help keep us informed; if you are aware of pending initiatives, write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.
LEGAL ANALYSIS
ORGANIZATIONAL FORMS
Most civil society entities in Algeria register and operate as associations. The 2012 Law on Associations defines associations as “individuals or legal entities” that “form a group on a contractual basis for a specific or non-specific period of time and share in a common, voluntary, and non-profit purpose.”
Religious associations, or awqaf, are governed by separate laws and are regulated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Awqaf. Non-Muslim religious associations are governed by Ordinance 06-03 on the Conditions and Rules of Practice of Faiths other than Islam. The National Commission for Non-Muslim Religious Services is responsible for registering and regulating these groups.
Public Benefit Status
According to Article 34 of the 2012 Law on Associations, associations regarded as “being in the general interest and/or of public utility” can receive financial aid from the government. However, the Law does not specify how to assess an association’s “public utility” or define what constitutes the “general interest,” leaving the government considerable discretion in determining an association’s eligibility. In practice, the Algerian government does not provide associations with any direct or indirect financial benefits, such as tax exemptions or public utility discounts.
Barriers to Formation
Article 53 of the 2020 Algerian Constitution guarantees “the right to create associations,” stating that this right is exercised by simple declaration. While this shift toward a notification-based system is a positive step, in practice, Algerian law still requires associations to obtain prior approval from government authorities to operate legally and imposes criminal penalties—including three to six months’ imprisonment or fines between 100,000 and 300,000 Algerian Dinars—for participation in an “unregistered” association.
The Law also creates additional obstacles to the formation and registration of associations:
- Eligibility restrictions: Only Algerian nationals of legal age who retain full civil and political rights may create, administer, or run an association. Individuals with prior convictions for offenses deemed “incompatible with the association’s activities” are barred from serving as executive members unless rehabilitated.
- High Founding Member Thresholds: Associations must meet high minimum membership requirements—10 members for local, 15 for regional, and 25 for national associations. In addition, associations must provide extensive information on their founders in their establishment documents, including the founders’ marital status, professions, residences, and copies of their police records. National groups must also provide proof that their founders come from at least 12 different regions in Algeria.
- Broad Grounds for Denial: The Law gives broad discretion to the government to refuse to register an association. For example, the government can deny registration if an association’s purposes and goals are not “in the general interest” or are contrary to Algeria’s “national principles and values, public order, morality, and the laws and regulations in force.” Although applicants may appeal a denial, the government can initiate further proceedings to annul registration entirely through a process that is neither subject to appeal nor decided by an independent judiciary.
- Administrative Obstruction: The Law requires authorities to issue a receipt when an association submits its registration documents, as well as a final registration receipt once a specified amount of time (30-60 days, depending on the type of group) has lapsed without the government rejecting the registration. In practice, however, authorities often ignore these obligations and withhold the receipts, effectively denying associations legal recognition. Without a registration receipt, an association cannot open a bank account or rent property. Many associations remain in legal limbo with the authorities failing to respond to their registration applications. This includes Amnesty International’s branch in Algeria and several other human rights organizations that have waited over five years without official acknowledgment of their applications.
While the creation of unions is also subjected to a declaration-based system of registration, in practice this system functions as an authorization-based one.
Barriers to Operations
The 2012 Law on Associations permits associations to engage in activities in “professional, social, scientific, religious, educational, cultural, sports, environmental, charitable and humanitarian” domains. Article 2 of the Law requires that an association’s purpose and goals must be “in the general interest” and be defined “with precision” at the time of registration. Associations are allowed to spend money only on activities that are directly related to these stated purposes. The Law gives the government the authority to dissolve any association that engages in activities outside the scope defined in its statute.
Associations are prohibited from having “any relationship […] whether organic or structural” with political parties or accepting gifts of any kind from them.
The law permits the government to forcibly dissolve an association or suspend its activities for interfering in the “internal affairs of the country” or posing a “threat to national sovereignty”—broad and undefined terms that grant authorities sweeping discretion to terminate an association with no judicial oversight or arbitration. Although the law requires prior warning before taking such action, this safeguard is frequently ignored in practice.
Active associations often report state interference, including surveillance, phone monitoring, and difficulties securing venues for meetings or events.
The 2012 Law on Associations also requires associations to receive prior approval from the Ministry of the Interior before entering into any cooperation agreement with an international entity. This requirement allows the government to tightly control cross-border collaboration, severely limiting Algerian associations’ ability to partner with international organizations. Senior government officials have publicly warned against meetings between local civil society actors and foreign missions, accusing them of interfering in Algeria’s internal affairs. Since 2017, Algeria has been cited in five reports of UN Secretary-General for intimidation and reprisals against those who cooperate with the UN on human rights issues.
An association is considered foreign if one director or board member is a foreign national. Although foreign associations are permitted to operate in Algeria, the Ministry of the Interior may suspend or revoke their authorization if their activities are considered a threat to “the national sovereignty, the established institutional order, the national unity or integrity of the national territory, public morality and order, or the national values of the Algerian people.” They may likewise be de-authorized for carrying out activities outside those provided for in their statutes. Additionally, a foreign association may be prohibited from operating in Algeria if its home country has not signed a bilateral agreement with Algeria.
There are several examples of the government using the 2012 Law on Associations to restrict association’s operations.
On June 29, 2022, the Administrative Court of Algiers ordered the dissolution of the Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LADDH) following a complaint filed by the Ministry of the Interior. In its judgment, the Court found that LADDH had carried out activities that were not in accordance with its statutes; failed to notify the authorities of changes to its statutes and executive body in a timely manner; and failed to submit copies of the minutes of its general assembly and annual financial reports in a timely manner. The court also found that LADDH violated Article 23 of the 2012 Law by failing to seek prior approval before engaging with international organizations. The decision also referenced “the presentation of false information” to the UN Human Rights Council as well as interactions with its UN Special Procedures mandate holders. In December 2024, the Administrative Court of Appeal in Algiers upheld the court’s original decision to dissolve LADDH upon appeal.
The 2012 Law on Association was also invoked against Bel Horizon, a cultural association based in Oran known for its work in heritage preservation and tourism training. In February 2023, the Oran Administrative Court dissolved the organization, citing breaches of the Law on Associations. In early 2024, the mayor of Oran ordered the association’s premised to be sealed.
Ordinance 06-03 of 2006, which regulates the practice of non-Muslim faiths, imposes a number of administrative requirements on non-Muslim religious associations. These include mandatory registration of places of worship and a restriction on religious activity to approved sites. The ordinance also criminalizes proselytizing among Muslims on behalf of other faiths and dissemination of materials aimed at “shaking the faith of a Muslim.”
Barriers to Expression
Algerian law imposes multiple restrictions on the ability of associations to publicly express themselves. The 2012 Law on Associations requires an association’s stated objective to be in line with vague and imprecise general criteria, such as the “public interest” and “respect for national values” and “principles.”
Law on Information No. 12-05 requires all publications to be approved in advance by a media regulatory authority, limiting an association’s ability to conduct advocacy through written materials.
Presidential decrees have also criminalized speech on certain topics. Notably, Ordinance 06-01, which implements the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, penalizes criticism of the conduct of security forces during the internal conflict of the 1990s. Article 46 of the Ordinance prescribes imprisonment and fines for statements that attack the institutions of the state party, impugn the honor of its officials, or tarnish its international reputation. This provision has a chilling effect and creates a climate of self-censorship, particularly on associations of victims of enforced disappearances committed during Algeria’s “dark decade” that are seeking truth and justice.
The Penal Code also contains numerous provisions that restrict freedom of speech and association. Charges such as defamation and insult against public officials or institutions are frequently used to stifle the work of civil society actors.
In addition, authorities have used anti-terrorism legislation to silence peaceful dissent. Ordinance No. 21-08 broadened the definition of terrorism and provided for the establishment of a national list of terrorist persons and entities. To implement this requirement, the first terrorism list was published in the official gazette in February 2022. It includes the Rachad movement and the Movement for the Self-Determination of the Kabylie region (MAK), as well as 16 alleged members of both organizations.
At the same time, the authorities have used terrorism charges to prosecute individuals peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms. Notable cases include the following:
- On November 16, 2024, the Algerian authorities arrested French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal for “undermining the integrity of national territory” under article 87 of the Penal Code.
- On August 24, 2021, Karima Nait Sid, co-president of the World Amazigh Congress, which defends the rights of the Amazigh ethnic group, was arrested and charged with “undermining national unity and state security and membership of a terrorist organization.” She was sentenced to three years in prison and was released on September 1, 2024.
- On June 14, 2020, environmental activist Mohad Gasmi was arrested and charged with “praising terrorism” in two Facebook posts. The first post called on the Algerian army to “serve the people” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second claimed that the government’s continued marginalization of people living in southern Algeria was responsible for the armed movement, the Mouvement des Enfants du Sud pour la Justice (MSJ). On October 17, 2021, Gasmi was sentenced to five years in prison. His sentence was reduced on appeal to two years in prison in June 2022. On April 14, 2022, he was also sentenced to three years in prison for “sharing confidential information without the intent of treason and espionage.” He was released on November 1, 2024, following a presidential pardon.
- On February 18, 2022, human rights defender Zakaria Hannache was arrested for “praising terrorism” and “undermining national unity” in relation to his work documenting arbitrary arrests and prosecutions since 2019. On March 31, 2022, Hannache and 70 other prisoners of conscience were temporarily released pending trial.
- In 2021, whistleblower Mohamed Benhalima was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison for charges including “participation in a terrorist group” and “publishing fake news undermining national unity.” He sought asylum in Spain after learning that his name was on a list of wanted military officials at risk of detention by the Algerian army. Spain rejected his asylum application and deported him back to Algeria on March 24, 2022, despite the risks of torture and serious human rights violations he faces in the country.
- Kaddour Chouicha, Jamila Loukil, and Saïd Boudour, former members of the dissolved Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH), were tried for terrorism charges in December 2023. Although acquitted, the prosecutor appealed the decision.
- Mohamed Tadjadit, known in Algeria as the “poet of the Hirak,” was arrested on January 29, 2024, for “apology and incitement to terrorist acts,” “use of communication technology to support terrorist activities and organizations and the voluntary or involuntary dissemination of his ideas.” Between 2019 and 2022, he was detained four times for his participation in peaceful protests or exercising his right to freedom of expression and assembly. On November 1, 2024, he was provisionally released under a presential pardon. On January 16, 2025, however, he was arrested again in another case before being tried and sentenced to 5 years in prison.
- In January 2022, blogger and reporter Merzoug Touati was sentenced to a year in prison over social media comments.
- On June 7, 2022, Ihsane El Kadi, the director of the Algerian radio station Radio Mand of the website Maghreb Émergent, was sentenced to six months in prison for “disseminating false information,” “disrupting elections,” and “reopening the issue on the national tragedy.” The charges were related to an article published on the Radio M website about the Rachad movement and the Hirak He is also being prosecuted in another case for “belonging to a terrorist group,” and was arrested in December 2022 for illegal funding charges. On April 2, 2023, El Kadi was sentenced to five years in prison, including two years on probation. But in June, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to seven years in prison, including two years on probation. He was finally released under a presidential pardon on November 1, 2024. Both Radio M and Maghreb Émergent were forced to cease operations on June 19, 2024, after the Algiers Court of Appeal ordered the dissolution of Interface Médias. The reasons for this are still under seal.
In the run-up to the presidential elections scheduled to be held on September 7, 2024, the Algerian authorities intensified their repression of dissent by the political opposition:
- On August 6, 2024, political activist Yacine Mekireche, a member of the suspended political party the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS), was arbitrarily arrested over Facebook posts.
- Fethi Ghares, the former coordinator of MDS, was arrested in August for “contempt of the president” and “dissemination of false information and hate speech through publications on social networks.”
- At least 60 political activists, most from the political party the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), including its chairman Atmane Mazouz, were arrested in August.
- The terms of the judicial supervision of Karim Tabbou, a political activist and president of the unregistered Democratic and Social Union (UDS) party, were restricted further to bar him from publishing political comments or participating in debates. He had been placed under judicial supervision in May 2023 after taking part in a TV show with former Tunisian president, Moncef Marzouki.
The government increasingly imposes travel bans, known in Algeria as ISTN, on civil society activists, opposition political party leaders, journalists, unionists, and others critical of the regime. These bans, which violate the right to freedom of movement and restrict broader civil and political rights, are often issued without formal notice, are unlimited in duration, and nearly impossible to challenge. The practice is based on Article 36 bis 1 of Ordinance No. 15-02 of 2015, on the Code of Criminal Procedure, which states that “the public prosecutor may, for the purposes of an investigation, on the basis of a reasoned report by a judicial police officer, order a ban on leaving the country on any person against whom there is evidence of probable involvement in a felony or an offense.”
The right to receive and impart information is further undermined by annual internet shutdowns during national school exams, a practice that began in 2016. These disruptions affect millions who rely on internet access for work, education, and communication.
On March 7, 2023, Law No. 23-02 was adopted, governing the exercise of trade union rights. It bans union members from engaging in political activity or associating with political parties. The law also conditions the right to strike on “not harming the principles of the continuity of public service [or] the protection of people’s and property’s security,” vague concepts that authorities could interpret to arbitrarily restrict strikes.
Barriers to Assembly
Lack of Legal Protections
Article 52 of Algeria’s 2020 Constitution protects the freedom of assembly, stating that “[t]he freedom of expression, association, and assembly is guaranteed.” However, restrictive legislation and executive decrees have significantly curtailed Algerians’ ability to exercise this right.
In 1991, Parliament amended Law No. 89-28 of 1989 on Public Meetings and Demonstrations, narrowing the right to assemble and conduct meetings. The resulting legislation, Law No. 91-19, remains in force and continues to regulate public gatherings in Algeria. Additionally, a 2001 ban on all demonstrations in Algiers—introduced following violent clashes between protesters and police in the capital—remains in effect.
Vague Provisions
Law No. 91-19 prohibits any meeting or demonstration that “opposes national fundamental principles” or harms “the symbols of the revolution of November 1, the public order or public morals.” The Law does not provide further definitions for these terms, providing authorities with broad discretion to prohibit assemblies based on subjective interpretations of their objectives.
Advance Notification
Under Law No. 91-19, organizers of “public gatherings” must notify the authorities of their plans at least three days in advance (Articles 5, 15). The Law defines a “public gathering” as a “temporary rally of people, agreed upon beforehand and organized outside public roads in a closed place that is easy for people to join. Its purpose is the exchange of ideas or the defense of joint interests.” Authorities may prohibit such gatherings without being required to provide justification.
The Law distinguishes public gatherings from “public demonstrations,” which are defined as “processions, parades, or gatherings of people in a public manner, and all demonstrations that go through public roads.” The law requires organizers of public demonstrations to request approval from the governor at least eight days in advance. The governor is required to either approve or deny the demonstration at least five days in advance.
Appeals of administrative decisions are technically permitted under Articles 800 and 801 of the Civil and Administrative Procedure Code. However, organizers of assemblies have reported that the authorities often wait until the last minute to notify assembly organizers of a refusal, giving them no time to appeal the decision.
On May 9, 2021, the Algerian Ministry of the Interior issued a statement requiring march organizers to submit detailed information to the relevant authorities, including the names of organizers, start and end times, the planned route, and slogans to be used.
Criminal Penalties
Law No. 91-19 imposes possible criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for participation in unauthorized assemblies. Article 23 states that “[a]nyone found responsible for participating in the organization of an unauthorized demonstration will get either a prison sentence ranging from three months to a year, a fine between 3,000 and 15,000 Algerian Dinars, or both.”
Article 97 of the Penal Code prohibits “unarmed gatherings,” while Article 98 states that “any unarmed person shall be punished by imprisonment of two months to one year, who is part of an armed or unarmed gathering and does not abandon it after the first summons. The imprisonment is from six months to three years if the unarmed person continued to be part of an armed gathering that has only dissipated in the face of the use of force.”
Article 100 of the Penal Code addresses “incitement to unarmed gathering,” stating that “any direct provocation to an unarmed assembly either by speeches made publicly, or by writings or printed materials posted or distributed, is punishable by an imprisonment of two months to one year, if it was followed by effect, if not, by an imprisonment of one to six months and a fine of 2,000 to 5,000 Algerian Dinars or of one of these two penalties only.”
Blanket Bans on Demonstrations
Residents of Algiers have been restricted from exercising their right to peaceful assembly since 2001, under an unpublished Presidential Decree of June 18, 2001, that bans all demonstrations in the capital. Although this decree has never been officially published, it has been consistently enforced. During Algeria’s fourth periodic review before the UN Human Rights Committee in 2018, government representatives acknowledged the existence of a general ban on protests in Algiers, citing concerns over public order and counterterrorism efforts as justification (Replies to the List of Issues, March 14, 2018, UN Doc. CCPR/C/DZA/Q/4/Add.1).
On March 17, 2020, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune imposed a nationwide ban on all protests, marches, demonstrations, and other mass gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This measure effectively halted the weekly Hirak anti-government protests, which had persisted for over a year.
Arrests of Protesters
Since February 2019, amid the rise of the Hirak movement, authorities have further escalated restrictions on the freedom of assembly, dispersing protests nationwide and arresting participants, including journalists. Notably, journalist Khaled Drareni was sentenced to two years in prison for reporting on demonstrations.
On May 11, 2021, the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern over “sustained reports of unnecessary and disproportionate force against peaceful protesters, as well as continuing arrests.” In a briefing note, the spokesperson reported that authorities were blocking access to demonstration sites and arbitrarily arresting individuals alleged to be protesters. Some detainees were reportedly released only after being coerced into signing pledges to cease participation in future protests.
On May 14, 2021, Algerian authorities arrested at least 16 journalists covering demonstrations in downtown Algiers. All were released the following day.
Barriers to Assembly
Lack of Legal Protections
Article 52 of Algeria’s 2020 Constitution protects the freedom of assembly, stating that “[t]he freedom of expression, association, and assembly is guaranteed.” However, restrictive legislation and executive decrees have significantly curtailed Algerians’ ability to exercise this right.
In 1991, Parliament amended Law No. 89-28 of 1989 on Public Meetings and Demonstrations, narrowing the right to assemble and conduct meetings. The resulting legislation, Law No. 91-19, remains in force and continues to regulate public gatherings in Algeria. Additionally, a 2001 ban on all demonstrations in Algiers—introduced following violent clashes between protesters and police in the capital—remains in effect.
Vague Provisions
Law No. 91-19 prohibits any meeting or demonstration that “opposes national fundamental principles” or harms “the symbols of the revolution of November 1, the public order or public morals.” The Law does not provide further definitions for these terms, providing authorities with broad discretion to prohibit assemblies based on subjective interpretations of their objectives.
Advance Notification
Under Law No. 91-19, organizers of “public gatherings” must notify the authorities of their plans at least three days in advance (Articles 5, 15). The Law defines a “public gathering” as a “temporary rally of people, agreed upon beforehand and organized outside public roads in a closed place that is easy for people to join. Its purpose is the exchange of ideas or the defense of joint interests.” Authorities may prohibit such gatherings without being required to provide justification.
The Law distinguishes public gatherings from “public demonstrations,” which are defined as “processions, parades, or gatherings of people in a public manner, and all demonstrations that go through public roads.” The law requires organizers of public demonstrations to request approval from the governor at least eight days in advance. The governor is required to either approve or deny the demonstration at least five days in advance.
Appeals of administrative decisions are technically permitted under Articles 800 and 801 of the Civil and Administrative Procedure Code. However, organizers of assemblies have reported that the authorities often wait until the last minute to notify assembly organizers of a refusal, giving them no time to appeal the decision.
On May 9, 2021, the Algerian Ministry of the Interior issued a statement requiring march organizers to submit detailed information to the relevant authorities, including the names of organizers, start and end times, the planned route, and slogans to be used.
Criminal Penalties
Law No. 91-19 imposes possible criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for participation in unauthorized assemblies. Article 23 states that “[a]nyone found responsible for participating in the organization of an unauthorized demonstration will get either a prison sentence ranging from three months to a year, a fine between 3,000 and 15,000 Algerian Dinars, or both.”
Article 97 of the Penal Code prohibits “unarmed gatherings,” while Article 98 states that “any unarmed person shall be punished by imprisonment of two months to one year, who is part of an armed or unarmed gathering and does not abandon it after the first summons. The imprisonment is from six months to three years if the unarmed person continued to be part of an armed gathering that has only dissipated in the face of the use of force.”
Article 100 of the Penal Code addresses “incitement to unarmed gathering,” stating that “any direct provocation to an unarmed assembly either by speeches made publicly, or by writings or printed materials posted or distributed, is punishable by an imprisonment of two months to one year, if it was followed by effect, if not, by an imprisonment of one to six months and a fine of 2,000 to 5,000 Algerian Dinars or of one of these two penalties only.”
Blanket Bans on Demonstrations
Residents of Algiers have been restricted from exercising their right to peaceful assembly since 2001, under an unpublished Presidential Decree of June 18, 2001, that bans all demonstrations in the capital. Although this decree has never been officially published, it has been consistently enforced. During Algeria’s fourth periodic review before the UN Human Rights Committee in 2018, government representatives acknowledged the existence of a general ban on protests in Algiers, citing concerns over public order and counterterrorism efforts as justification (Replies to the List of Issues, March 14, 2018, UN Doc. CCPR/C/DZA/Q/4/Add.1).
On March 17, 2020, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune imposed a nationwide ban on all protests, marches, demonstrations, and other mass gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This measure effectively halted the weekly Hirak anti-government protests, which had persisted for over a year.
Arrests of Protesters
Since February 2019, amid the rise of the Hirak movement, authorities have further escalated restrictions on the freedom of assembly, dispersing protests nationwide and arresting participants, including journalists. Notably, journalist Khaled Drareni was sentenced to two years in prison for reporting on demonstrations.
On May 11, 2021, the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern over “sustained reports of unnecessary and disproportionate force against peaceful protesters, as well as continuing arrests.” In a briefing note, the spokesperson reported that authorities were blocking access to demonstration sites and arbitrarily arresting individuals alleged to be protesters. Some detainees were reportedly released only after being coerced into signing pledges to cease participation in future protests.
On May 14, 2021, Algerian authorities arrested at least 16 journalists covering demonstrations in downtown Algiers. All were released the following day.
REPORTS
Reports of UN Special Rapporteurs
Algeria reports
A/HRC/56/50/Add.2: Visit to Algeria – Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Clément Nyaletsossi Voule
USIG (United States International Grantmaking) Country Notes
Not available
NEWS AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
While we aim to maintain information that is as current as possible, we realize that situations can rapidly change. If you are aware of any additional information or inaccuracies on this page, please keep us informed; write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.
GENERAL NEWS
Law on Political Parties almost adopted before being examined by Parliament (February 2025)
Presented as being in line with the 2020 Constitution, the new draft organic Law on Political Parties aims, according to the Algerian authorities, to establish a more structured framework and encourage transparency. But in the headquarters of the main parties, the text is already generating criticism and fears.
Algeria’s arbitrary travel bans against critics (February 2025)
Algerian authorities have increasingly used arbitrary travel bans to retaliate against perceived critics, Human Rights Watch and MENA Rights Group said. The authorities should lift the arbitrary bans and stop using them as a tool to repress dissent. The arbitrary bans can be imposed without formal notice, are often unlimited in duration, and are almost impossible to challenge. They prevent people from leaving the country, violate their right to freedom of movement, and undermine the rights to freedom of association, assembly, and expression. In some cases, they have led to families being separated or affected the work and mental health of those targeted.
Launch of a consultation with associations to enrich the preliminary draft of the law on associations (January 2025)
The National Observatory for Civil Society (ONSC) has launched a national consultation of associations to enrich the preliminary draft of the organic law setting out the conditions and procedures for the creation of associations.
Special Rapporteur dismayed by continued criminalization of human rights defenders after her visit (January 2025)
In a press release issued on January 30, 2025, Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, condemned Algeria’s ongoing restrictions and harassment of human rights defenders for their peaceful activities. Reflecting on her visit to Algeria at the end of 2023, she expressed deep disappointment that individuals she met continue to face arbitrary arrests, judicial harassment, intimidation, and criminalization. She highlighted that these actions are often justified under vague legal provisions, such as charges of “harming the security of the State.”
President decides on pardons and appeasement measures for 2,471 prisoners (December 2024)
On December 25, 2024, the President of the Republic of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, decided to grant presidential pardons and appeasement measures to 2,471 prisoners, according to a press release from the Presidency of the Republic.
The President of the Republic decides on presidential pardons and appeasement measures for 2,471 prisoners (December 2024)
On December 25, 2024, the President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, decided to grant presidential pardons and appeasement measures to 2,471 prisoners, according to a press release from the Presidency of the Republic.
The Algerian government’s global crackdown on dissenters (November 2024)
The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) published a report on November 26, 2024 that reveals the Algerian government’s expanding strategy of transnational repression, systematically targeting activists, journalists, and human rights defenders living abroad. The report, titled “The Noose is Tightening Around Us: Algeria’s Use of Transnational Repression to Crackdown on Dissent,” details the array of tactics employed by the Algerian government to silence dissent beyond its borders, drawing troubling parallels to authoritarian practices of countries like China and Egypt.
Algeria holds French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal on national security charges (November 2024)
Algerian authorities have remanded in custody on national security charges prominent French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal following his arrest earlier this month that sparked alarm throughout the literary world, his French lawyer said. His detention by Algeria comes against a background of tensions between France and its former colony, which also appear to have spread to the literary world. The 75-year-old writer, granted French nationality this year, was on November 16 arrested at Algiers airport after returning from France, according to several media reports.
Algeria: journalist Ihsane El Kadi is free after a Presidential pardon (November 2024)
Ihsane El Kadi has finally regained his freedom after 22 months in prison. The director of Radio M and Maghreb Émergent was pardoned by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on October 30, 2024.
Repression of civic space ahead of presidential elections (September 2024)
Presidential elections will be held in Algeria on September 7, 2024 amidst severe restrictions on civic space and a continued crackdown on human rights including the rights to the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and media freedom. In addition to these restrictions, Amnesty International is concerned that Algerian authorities have adopted a series of legislation to blatantly curtail the effective exercise of human rights in the country.
A new election goes against democratic aspirations (September 2024)
On September 7, 2024, the Algerian people will once again be called upon to ratify a presidential election that has already been decided. A group of citizens from the Algerian diaspora is calling for the construction of a genuine democratic alternative in line with the aspirations of the Algerian people. With this appeal, they refuse to accept the choice imposed on them by this political system: enslavement, silence, prison or exile.
New penal code amendments escalate attack on freedom of expression (August 2024)
ARTICLE 19 expresses alarm about recent amendments to the Algerian Penal Code, which mark a significant escalation in the Algerian government’s crackdown on dissent. By introducing new speech offences and increasing the penalties for existing ones, Algeria is expanding its legal tools to silence the opposition and critical voices ahead of the presidential election on September 7, 2024.
Press owner Ihsane El Kadi’s Radio M website ceases publication (June 2024)
The Radio M website, which is part of the independent media group run by Algerian journalist Ihsane El Kadi, who has been imprisoned since late 2022, ceased publication on June 19, 2024.
A tougher penal code to combat the ‘excesses’ of social networks (May 2024)
Presented as a response to the “excesses of websites, mobile applications and platforms for creating social links”, the new penal code promulgated in Algeria introduces a new repressive twist four months ahead of the presidential election scheduled for September 2024. The new law raises concerns among journalists, lawyers, political activists and even ordinary citizens. Everyone is wondering how these measures will be applied on the ground, and what interpretation the judges will make of them.
Algeria: Detainees must be released and civic space opened (April 2024)
As part of the Ramadan #ReleaseThem campaign, local and international CSOs called on Algerian authorities to release unjustly imprisoned detainees for expressing their opinions or peacefully exercising their freedoms, and to open up civic space to civil society actors in order to ensure the unhindered exercise of their missions towards the rule of law.
After five years of protests, the narrowing of civic space extends beyond the southern shores of the Mediterranean (February 2024)
In the five years since the start of the Hirak protest movement, human rights defenders and activists have faced widespread repression, sometimes forcing them into exile. In this context, a coalition of human rights NGOs express their concern and call for an end to this repression, urging the Algerian authorities to respect fundamental rights. They also urge the French authorities to put an end to the harassment of Algerian activists present on their territory.
Amendments to the Algerian Penal Code: towards a restricted civic space (February 2024)
The recent revisions to the draft law on criminal sanctions raise doubts about respect for civil liberties in Algeria. Under the guise of moralisation and the fight against terrorism, the provisions might undermine civil liberties.
“Flagged” or banned from travelling, opponents, businessmen and journalists live in fear (January 2024)
Algerians report being detained for long periods at the airport when they travel, and even forbidden to leave the country, without knowing what they are accused of.
Algeria: Reactions following the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders (December 2023)
Following the official visit to Algeria by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Mary Lawlor, eleven organizations, including EuroMed Rights, OMCT, FIDH and MENA Rights Group, call on the Algerian government to release imprisoned activists, repeal oppressive laws, and protect endangered civil society organizations.
Algeria: Freedom of Association, Assembly Under Attack (September 2023)
Algerian authorities have crushed civic space over the past four years, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper it submitted to the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, who began on September 16 a ten-day visit to Algeria. The briefing paper details how authorities have dismantled the country’s independent civil society and hindered political pluralism based on restrictive laws on associations, political parties, and unions.
UN rights expert calls on Algeria to pardon convicted protesters (September 2023)
“The Government must loosen tight restrictions on assemblies and associations to bring laws and practice into conformity with the national Constitution and international human rights law”, said Clément Voule, Special Rapporteur on the right to assembly, in a statement at the end of a 10-day official visit to Algeria. He was there as the country weighs ongoing reforms to bring legislation into line with the 2020 Constitution and the aspirations of what are known as the “Hirak demonstrations”, which saw hundreds of thousands of Algerians take to the streets across major cities to protest every week for more than a year between 2019 and 2020.
Kamira Nait Sid and Slimane Bouhafs sentenced to 3 years in prison (July 2023)
On July 4, 2023, the Dar El Beida Court sentenced Kamira Nait Sid, co-president of the Amazigh World Congress (CMA), and Slimane Bouhafs, a UNHCR-recognized refugee and Christian Amazigh activist, who was abducted and forcibly returned from Tunis in 2021, to three years in prison for “undermining national territorial integrity”.
Mohad Gasmi has been in detention for three years and will go on hunger strike (July 2023)
Environmental activist, Mohad Gasmi, who is being held in Adrar prison, has decided to go on hunger strike from July 5 on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of Algeria’s independence. A community activist and environmentalist, Mohad Gasmi has become a leading figure in citizen protests in the south of the country. He was heavily involved in the movement of the unemployed in the south and the 2019 Hirak. He was a leading figure against shale gas operations between 2012 and 2015.
Algeria: Free People Held After Activist Fled (June 2023)
Algerian authorities have been holding at least four people for more than four months, including a journalist, for allegedly helping an activist to leave the country in February 2023, Human Rights Watch, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, and EuroMed Rights said on June 27, 2023. The activist, Amira Bouraoui, who was convicted for her peaceful activism and was subjected to an arbitrary travel ban since 2021, fled across the Tunisian border.
Algeria: Journalist Ihsane El-Kadi sentenced to three years in prison (April 2023)
The Algerian press owner Ihsane El-Kadi, quite critical of the government, was sentenced on [April 2] to five years in prison, of which three years are firm, announced the court of Sidi M’hamed in Algiers, which delivered its verdict in the presence of the accused. The court also ordered the dissolution of the company Interface Médias, publisher of the two media outlets run by Mr El-Kadi, the confiscation of all its assets, and a fine of 10 million dinars (more than 68,000 euros) against his company.
In Algeria, journalists are under increasing pressure (April 2023)
The new media regulation law passed by the Assembly is now being examined by the Senate and should be adopted quickly. It provides for a stronger framework for the work of journalists, in an already very restrictive context for press freedom.
Statement by the GI-TOC on the arrest of senior analyst Raouf Farrah (February 2023)
Following press reports in local Algerian media, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) can confirm that on February 14, 2023, Raouf Farrah, Senior Analyst with the GI-TOC was arrested in Annaba, Algeria, by officers of the Gendarmerie Nationale and the judicial police. Raouf was visiting his parents with his wife and child when detained. He has been held under arrest since. Both his parents have also been detained and although his mother was released, his father remains in detention at the time of writing.
Algeria: Reverse decision to dissolve leading human rights group (February 2023)
The Administrative Court of Algiers dissolved the LADDH following a complaint filed by the Interior Ministry on June 29, 2022, the organization said on January 20, 2023, after it learned of the judgment by finding it on the internet. The LADDH, which said it had been unaware of the judicial proceedings, including the complaint, is the most recent organization targeted by the authorities’ campaign to neutralize independent civil society organizations.
Algeria Arrests Relatives of Wanted Dissident: Rights Group (February 2023)
Algerian authorities have arrested the mother and sister of wanted activist Amira Bouraoui days after she left for France, a rights group and a radio reported on April 12, 2023. Bouraoui, a French-Algerian doctor by training, had been arrested in Tunisia and risked being deported to Algeria, but she was finally able to board a flight to France on Monday evening. She was sentenced in Algeria in May 2021 to two years in jail for “offending Islam” and for insulting the president. Her departure, following French intervention, created a diplomatic incident between Algiers and Paris, with Algeria recalling its ambassador from France for consultations.
Journalist Ihsane El Kadi is under arrest (December 2022)
After six days in police custody, the director of the independent websites Radio M and Maghreb émergent was placed in detention on December 29, 2022. He is accused of having received funds from abroad.
2022 a “dark year” for journalism (December 2022)
In Algeria, journalist Ishane El Kadi was placed in pre-trial detention on the evening of Thursday 29 December. Arrested a week earlier, the founder of Radio M is under investigation for illegal fundraising and allegedly undermining state security. This new arrest comes on top of the closure of media outlets and the convictions of other Algerian journalists in recent months. At the dawn of a new year, what is left of the Algerian free press?
Towards a restriction of the right to strike? (November 2022)
A draft law revising the right to strike in certain sectors of the public service is alarming the unions. Will the unions soon be silenced? This is the fear of the president of the Autonomous Union of Education and Training Workers (Satef), Boualem Amoura, as the authorities have launched a revision of the law on the exercise of the right to organize, but also on the prevention and settlement of conflicts at work. As decided during the Council of Ministers of October 23, 2022 the executive is refining the list of state sectors deemed “sensitive”, and in which social movements could soon no longer be authorized. The forthcoming law should also delimit the boundaries between trade union and political practices, and set out the modalities for the creation of a trade union and the conditions required to join it, in order to put an end to “trade union transhumance”.
Journalists demonstrate and demand the release of Belkacem Houam (September 2022)
Around fifty journalists gathered on September 14 at the Abdelkader Safir press house in Kouba to denounce the imprisonment of Echourouk journalist Belkacem Houam, who was placed under a detention order following an article he wrote about Algerian Deglet Nour dates.
Visit of the UN special rapporteur postponed (September 2022)
The visit of the UN special rapporteur on freedom of association, assembly and demonstration, which was scheduled for September 12 to 22, has been postponed at the request of the Algerian government. According to a source close to the matter, it has been postponed to 2023, without specifying a date.
Kaddour Chouicha prevented from travelling (August 2022)
On August 24, 2022, the Border Police Services of the Oran International Airport prevented the Vice President of The Algerian League for The Defence of Human Rights (LADDH) and national coordinator of the Union of Teachers in Solidarity, Kaddour Chouicha, from leaving the country and travelling via an Oran-Paris flight.
Social networks and messaging inaccessible (June 2022)
For 2022, while the internet is not severely disrupted as it was in 2021, social networks have been inaccessible since the start of exams. Instant messengers like WhatsApp, Messenger, Signal and others are also down. The aim is to prevent fraudsters from using social networks and messengers to distribute papers or send answers to examination candidates via instant messaging applications.
Authorities must release defence lawyers and stop assault on right to fair trial (June 2022)
Amnesty International calls on the Algerian authorities to immediately release and drop all charges against three defense lawyers who were arrested and prosecuted for defending their clients and exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Online campaign calls on Algerian authorities to stop assault on civic space and fundamental freedoms (May 2022)
#NotACrime is an online campaign aiming to draw attention to the ways in which Algerian authorities have increasingly attempted to stifle dissenting voices and independent civil society. Launched by 38 Algerian, regional, and international organizations, the campaign was conducted on the organisations’ respective social media accounts.
Algeria newspaper Liberte closes after 30 years (April 2022)
Prominent Algerian newspaper Liberté printed its last issue on April 14, 2022, three decades after it was established and a week after its owner, the country’s richest man, decided to liquidate it.
Mounting repression as more human rights defenders are detained (March 2022)
Algerian authorities have ramped up their assault on civil society in recent weeks, with 27 human rights defenders and peaceful activists arrested in February alone.
Three Years On, Repression on Protest Tightens (February 2022)
Three years after the movement known as the “Hirak” began its massive weekly peaceful street marches for political reform, the authorities are detaining at least 280 activists, including many who are associated with Hirak. Some face charges of terrorism based on a definition so broad that it is arbitrary.
Escalating repression threatens the survival of independent civil society (February 2022)
On the third anniversary of Algeria’s pro-democracy protest movement, Hirak, a coalition of organizations express their strong concern at the dangerous intensification of Algerian authorities’ repressive tactics to silence peaceful dissent and stifle civil society. The arrests of human rights defenders Zaki Hannache and Faleh Hammoudi respectively are the latest examples of these repressive tactics.
Leading pro-democracy NGO dissolved by the courts (October 2021)
Rassemblement Actions Jeunesse (RAJ), a major Algerian civil society organisation, has been sanctioned by the administrative court of Algiers for alleged violation of the law on associations. The court pronounced, on October 13, 2021, the dissolution of the NGO, which had been at the forefront of the pro-democracy Hirak movement.
Repression in Algeria: Could it end the Hirak Movement? (July 2021)
In an attempt to prevent any structured opposition groups from succeeding, Algerian authorities have filed legal complaints seeking to dissolve the Socialist Workers Party (PST) and the Union for Change and Progress (UCP), both of which support the Hirak protests. The authorities have also attempted to suppress any form of organized dissent by labeling dissident groups, such as the Movement for Kabylie’s self-determination (MAK), as terrorist groups. This has been matched by a heightened crackdown on dissent through the arrest of hundreds of people participating in the Hirak protests.
Algeria cancels France 24’s operating license (June 2021)
One day after parliamentary elections were held in Algeria, the Algerian communications ministry canceled the accreditation of France 24, a French state-owned international TV station. The authorities accused the TV station of practicing “disinformation and manipulation in addition to confirmed hostility against Algeria.” The French TV station, which had covered the Hirak protests in February and March 2021, was also accused of having a “clear and repeated hostility towards [Algeria] and its institutions.”
Oldest party wins most seats in voting for ‘new Algeria’ (June 2021)
Algeria’s elections, which took place on June 12, 2021, witnessed a record low voter turnout that saw the National Liberation Front (FLN) securing most of the seats in parliament. The FLN, the ruling party in Algeria since the country’s independence in 1962, won 105 of 407 parliamentary seats. The elections, however, were boycotted by Hirak protestors and traditional opposition parties after the authorities’ crackdown on protesters through the arrest of hundreds of people in the months leading up to the elections.
UN High Commissioner press briefing notes on Algeria (May 2021)
The spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern about the human rights situation in Algeria, particularly with regards to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly. Since the resumption of protests in February 2021, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has received numerous reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, as well as continuing arrests. The OHCHR has urged the Algerian authorities to stop using violence to disperse peaceful demonstrations and to halt the arbitrary arrest of individuals exercising their fundamental human rights.
Algeria to impose restrictions on street protests (May 2021)
The Algerian Ministry of Interior has announced that all protests without prior approval from the authorities will be banned. In order to acquire prior approval, organizers must provide their names and a start and finishing time for the demonstration. According to the ministry, “failure to comply with these procedures will result in violating the law and the constitution, which denies the legitimacy of the march, and it will be necessary to deal with it on this basis.”
Le journaliste Rabah Karèche reste en prison malgré les protestations (April 2021)
On April 19, 2021, Algerian journalist Rabah Karèche was detained by the Algerian judicial police in the city of Tamanrasset. Karèche, a correspondent for the daily newspaper Liberté, was accused of disseminating “false news harmful to the public order,” undermining national security and unity, and using an electronic account to spread “information prone to causing segregation and hatred in society.” Karèche was arrested in response to an article he had published the day before regarding land-use protests organized by the Tuareg tribe in southern Algeria.
Islamic scholar sentenced to three-year prison term for “offending Islam” (April 2021)
Saïd Djabelkhir is an islamologist who has specialised in the study of Sufi Islam. He was sentenced on April 22, 2021, to three years in prison for “offense to Islam” by the Court of Sidi Mhamed following the filing of a complaint by private individuals in January 2020. The complainants felt that he had used derogatory and offensive terms against the Muslim religion. He was not placed under a detention order following his conviction.
Algerians back constitutional reforms amid low voter turnout (November 2020)
A proposal to change Algeria’s constitution won the most votes in Sunday’s referendum, the election commission said, but the very low turnout undercut the government strategy of using the poll to turn a page on last year’s political unrest. The Hirak protest movement had called for a boycott, dismissing the revised constitution as a “facade” of change.
Algerian journalist jailed for two years on appeal (September 2020)
Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni received a two-year prison term at his appeal hearing on Tuesday, in a trial rights groups have called a test of press freedom in a country recently rocked by anti-government protests. Drareni, 40, an editor at the Casbah Tribune news site and correspondent for French-language channel TV5 Monde, had been sentenced to three years in jail in August for his coverage of Algeria’s anti-government protests.
Algeria’s Hirak protesters defy virus lockdown (May 2020)
Algerians resumed anti-regime protests in several cities in support of detainees of the “Hirak” movement, defying the ban of demonstrations during the pandemic. The protests took place during the Eid Al-Fitr celebrations in the North African country despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the ban on demonstrations.
Algeria accused of using coronavirus to ‘settle scores’ with media (April 2020)
Several rights groups have accused Algerian authorities of taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to “settle scores” with independent journalists covering long-running anti-government protests. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), along with 16 other rights groups, released an updated statement on Friday calling on authorities to release one of their journalists who was arrested on 29 March.
Leading Algerian activist jailed as crackdown continues (April 2020)
The sentencing of yet another leading figure close to Algeria’s anti-government movement has sparked an outcry, as authorities continue their clampdown on opposition figures and journalists despite the coronavirus pandemic. The Sidi M’hamed court in Algiers on Monday sentenced Abdelouahab Fersaoui, head of the civic group Youth Action Rally (RAJ) and a leading activist of the popular movement, to one year in prison.
“Fake news” bill will tighten gag on press freedom in Algeria (April 2020)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns an Algerian bill criminalizing “fake news” that “undermines public order and security” or “state security and national unity.” This vaguely worded and draconian legislation is designed to tighten the gag on press freedom, RSF said.
Anti-government protests thwarted as Algeria bans street marches over coronavirus (March 2020)
Algeria has banned street protests over the coronavirus, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said, bringing to an end a year of unprecedented mass demonstrations. The protest movement, known as the Hirak, exploded onto the streets in February 2019 as it became clear that octogenarian leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika would seek another term as president after 20 years in the job.
Algeria: One Year On, Activists Languish in Jail (February 2020)
Dozens of protesters and activists remain in jail a year after pro-democracy protests began in Algeria, Human Rights Watch said today. Many are facing trial hearings in February and March 2020. Following presidential elections in December 2019, the authorities released many jailed activists but prominent leaders of the movement who had been imprisoned since September or October remain behind bars.
The Algerian Hirak: what role for civil society? (February 2020)
It has been almost one year since the beginning of the popular uprising known as the “Hirak”, a movement marked by its innovation, its pacifism and its quest for justice and equality. Is it time for the first self-assessment of civil society? This article aims at starting a debate about the actual role of civil society organizations and the movement, and discusses the mechanisms by which more effective and transparent participation can exist.
In Algeria, a dangerous crackdown on independent trade unions (February 2020)
Independent trade unionists in Algeria face escalating repression for their role in the ongoing democracy movement.
Algeria’s new president reiterates reform pledges, protesters divided (December 2019)
While Tebboune outlined a strategy to diversify the economy and end Algeria’s dependence on oil and gas exports, his promises of reforms and economic diversification seemed similar to pledges made by Bouteflika a few days before he was ousted. Opposition leader Soufiane Djilali and other politicians said they face a dilemma: either accept dialogue or take the radical path of civil disobedience. Leaderless protests underlined the weakness of opposition parties, which are struggling to push for broader political freedoms.
Algeria: Escalating Repression of Protesters. Leaders Arrested Ahead of Disputed Presidential Elections (November 2019)
Algerian authorities have arrested scores of pro-democracy movement activists since September 2019. Many remain detained on vague charges such as “harming national unity” and “undermining the morale of the army.” The authorities should immediately and unconditionally release the peaceful activists and respect the rights to free speech and assembly of all Algerians. A protest movement known as the Hirak in Arabic initially came together in February to oppose President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s plan to seek a fifth term, and has maintained its momentum with huge demonstrations every Friday calling for the ouster of the existing government and a more pluralistic and inclusive framework to prepare for free elections. Authorities initially tolerated the protests, but beginning in June started arresting groups of protesters, including at least 40 for brandishing the Amazigh flag, a symbol of that ethnic group that, until then, had been tolerated.
Algerian activists demand a place at the table (June 2019)
On June 15, Algiers hosted a National Conference of Civil Society with the aim of producing a roadmap on how to shape the country’s – hopefully – democratic future. Yet at a time when civil society is just beginning to re-awaken, some wonder whether it will really be able to influence the possible transition that is looming.
Hundreds of Algerians protest against proposed energy law (October 2019)
Algerians protested in front of parliament on Sunday October 13, 2019 against proposed changes to the energy law that they say the caretaker government has no right to pass. The draft law was agreed by the cabinet on Sunday, interim president Abdelkader Bensalah was quoted by state media as saying. It must still be approved by parliament. Protesters said the law was draw up by the caretaker government to secure support of Western countries in a standoff over mass protests that have rocked Algeria for months. The government did not immediately comment.
Civil society organizations in Algeria agree to a “transition from six months to one year” (June 2019)
For the first time since the beginning of the protest movement, unions and associations have managed to find a consensus for a way out of the crisis. The long awaited first National Conference on the Dynamics of Civil Society, held on Saturday June 15 in Algiers, reached a joint text. These Algerian autonomous collectives, associations, and unions of very different ideologies have adopted a framework “for a way out of the crisis and a democratic transition.” The document agrees on the need for “a transition period ranging from six months to a year” and the installation of an “independent commission to direct, organize and declare the results of the elections,” with the aim of moving “towards a new Republic.”
NGOs call for more freedom, end to restrictive associations law (October 2018)
Several Algerian human rights groups have called for the cancellation of a law they say violates their ability to work freely, proposing instead new legislation to guarantee their rights. The law, which deals with the work of Algerian associations and has been in force since 2012, was described as “villainous” by Abdelouahab Fersaoui, president of youth group Rassemblement Action Jeunesse. At a news conference in Algiers, the country’s capital, Fersaoui said the law forces NGOs to obtain state approval to operate, and the government has the ability to investigate a group’s activities and financing. The law was passed as part of a wider effort by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to stem any potential Arab Spring-style protests in 2011.
Algeria ‘fails’ on human rights and freedom of expression, says EU (October 2017)
The European Union’s annual report on human rights and democracy noted several “failures” in Algeria on human rights issues, noting that the practice of certain fundamental rights “continued — sometimes — to be hampered in practice,” said the report. The report also noted that Algeria’s law on associations undermines the functioning of local and international associations in Algeria, and that several of the EU’s partners “have not yet received authorization to officially register as associations and therefore cannot properly carry out their activities in the country.”
Algeria should accept UPR recommendations on freedom of speech, assembly and association (September 2017)
Human Rights Watch called on Algeria to accept key recommendations from the 2012 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process related to freedom of speech, assembly and association. In particular, Human Rights Watch said, it should accept the recommendation to revise or repeal Law 12-06 on associations, a law extensively used by the government to restrict freedom of association.
Government: 60,000 Associations Outside the Law (December 2016)
The Interior Ministry reported that 60,000 organizations were operating illegally in Algeria, across 45 states.
Algeria on the Brink? Five Years after the Arab Spring (May 2016)
Despite the Arab uprisings of 2011 and sweeping changes reshaping many of its neighbors, Algeria has remained relatively stable and its long-entrenched regime resilient. Yet the status quo faces internal and external challenges that threaten to plunge the country into disorder.
Will a New Constitution Help Algeria? (February 2016)
The government’s adoption of new constitutional amendments aimed to improve the country’s political and economic situation, but opposition groups criticize the draft as nonconsensual and not addressing the country’s key crises.
Arrested for Ironic Facebook Post (March 2015)
Algerian labor rights activist Rachid Aouine was arrested on March 1, on the grounds of ironic comments he made on Facebook about police and the right to protest. Rachid Aouine was accused of “inciting an unarmed gathering” and could face up to one year in jail.
Algerian Civil Society Committed to Fight against Climate Change (October 2014)
More than 120 Heads of State and Government joined business and civil society leaders for the 2014 UN Climate Summit that aims to mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement on climate change in 2015 and deliver concrete new commitments. “Algeria is firmly committed to contributing to the global effort aimed at combating climate change,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra.
News archive
Algerian Churches, NGOs Wary as ‘Restrictive’ Law Comes into Force (January 2014)
Protest Picnic Defends Ramadan Rights of Algerian Christians (September 2013)
New Law On Associations Used to Stifle Civil Society (May 2013)
EU-Algeria Association Council: Priority to Human Rights! (December 2012)
Algerian Government reconciles with citizens (November 2012)
Human rights activist arrested by Algerian police (October 2012)
UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay calls for Algeria to reconsider restrictions on CSOs (September 2012)
Algeria rights activist cleared of charges (September 2012)
ANHRI denounces detention of four activists in Algeria on assembly charges (June 2012)
Upcoming elections must address civil society’s legitimate demands on freedom of association (May 2012)
New Media Law Stifles Free Expression, says CPJ (January 2012)
Algeria’s Bouteflika to end State TV and radio control (September 2011)
Algerian women test the ‘Arab Spring’ winds (March 2011)
Change in Algeria fundamental for human rights and security (February 2011)
Rally for culture and democracy (January 2011)
Aid groups advocate solution to decades-old warehousing of refugees (April 2010)