A round table devoted to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Algeria, was held on Monday, November 14, 2022 at the Maison des Associations, on the sidelines of the 41st session of the UPR at the Human Rights Council. 'Man.
This event, organized by 15 NGOs, migration experts, academics and human rights defenders, from the Southern Provinces, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, was an opportunity to present the reports NGOs submitted to the UPR Working Group, but also to analyze the recommendations made by the various States during the review of Algeria.
At the end of this NGO debriefing, a joint statement was drawn up to be sent to the Diplomatic Missions accredited in Geneva, to the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and to the NGOs based in Geneva to inform them of the results and shortcomings of the international community regarding the situation of human rights in Algeria.
It should be recalled that the Algerian delegation led by the Minister of Justice, Abderrachid TABI, after having been mistreated by the representatives of several Western States (USA, GB, Germany, Canada, Spain, etc.), during its UPR, the November 11, 2022, on the massive restrictions brought to the expression of Human Rights in this country, formulated a false argument concerning its commitments to cooperate with the mechanisms of the UN, let us quote:
– Algeria has thus claimed to cooperate in “good faith” with the UN mechanisms and has declared itself ready to receive the mandate holders for the years 2023 and 2024. However, these assertions are false, given that the Committee against Torture (CAT) had decided to suspend its dialogue with Algeria because of its refusal to collaborate.
– In addition, it should be noted that several Special Rapporteurs were unable to visit Algeria due to last-minute cancellations, namely, the Working Group on Forced or Involuntary Disappearances (GTDFI), which, for 20 years, has been trying to visit Algeria or the Special Rapporteur on the freedom of peaceful assembly, whose visit was canceled on the pretext of health restrictions linked to Covid 19.
– Concerning the fight against terrorism, the Algerian Minister of Justice affirmed that there was no contradiction between national and international legislation in the matter and that the definition of terrorism fell within the discretionary power of the State.
– With regard to legal proceedings against activists, journalists, influencers and human rights, the Algerian Minister affirmed that legal proceedings are very rare and in accordance with the penal code, and that justice, being independent, takes the right decisions.
Here follows the joint declaration :
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