U.S. report decries deteriorating human rights situation & growing repression in Algeria

The human rights situation in Algeria deteriorated in 2023 due to increased repression and violation of the freedoms of expression, press, assembly, and association, says the U.S State Department in its latest annual country report on the human rights situation in Algeria.

The report cites documented cases of torture, arbitrary arrests, and inhuman treatment of militants by members of Algerian security forces in addition to unfair judicial system, prosecutions of journalists, censorship, and enforcement of criminal libel laws to limit freedom of expression.

The Algerian authorities continue to violate religious freedom, impose serious restrictions on internet and undermine the freedom of peaceful assembly and the freedom of association through overly restrictive laws imposed on nongovernmental and civil society organizations.

The U.S. report denounces extrajudicial killings of political opponents, the harassment of domestic & international human rights organizations operating in Algeria, the extensive gender-based violence, expanding human trafficking, the use of excessive force by Algerian police against pro-democracy protesters and whistleblowers exercising their right to free speech.

Furthermore, prison conditions in Algeria are degrading and life threatening due to physical abuse and inadequate medical care. Algerian security agents make arrests without following procedures for warrants and summons.
Algerian authorities use vaguely worded provisions criminalizing “inciting an unarmed gathering,” “harming national unity,” “publishing fake news,” or “insulting a government body” to arrest and detain individuals they considered to be disturbing public order or criticizing the government.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other prominent human rights organizations criticized laws prohibiting unauthorized gatherings and criminalizing actions that “harm national unity” as significant sources of arbitrary arrests intended to suppress political activism. Police arrest protesters for violating the law against unregistered public gatherings.

According to human rights watchdogs, hundreds of activists have been arbitrarily detained for expressing their opinion. International human rights organizations and local civil society groups continue to call on the Algerian government to release all political prisoners, detained hirak militants, journalists, and protestors.

The Algerian authorities use antiterrorism laws and restrictive laws on freedom of expression and public assembly to detain political activists and outspoken critics of the government, while several Algerian journalists suffered harassment and reported selective prosecutions served as a mechanism for intimidation, the report says.