Draft Resolution of the European Parliament to Condemn the Algerian Regime

The European Parliament is expected to submit for voting, during a public session, a resolution regarding the repression and arrest of activists, writers, and human rights defenders in Algeria.

The resolution would be formulated as follows:

The European Parliament,

• Having regard to its previous resolutions on Algeria,
• Having regard to Articles 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas Algerian authorities arrested Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal on 16 November 2024, who had taken a strong public stance against the authoritarian regime, calling for freedom of expression in Algeria; whereas his whereabouts remained unknown for over a week, during which time he was prevented from contacting his family and lawyer, in violation of international law; whereas Sansal was interrogated without his lawyer, constituting a breach of his right to a fair trial; whereas he was subsequently charged with crimes related to national security under Article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, a provision frequently used against government critics, including human rights defenders; whereas he was hospitalized multiple times;

B. Whereas Algeria is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; whereas Algeria has committed to respecting and promoting freedom of expression in full compliance with its international obligations, the EU-Algeria Partnership Priorities, and its Constitution; whereas new amendments to the Penal Code adopted in 2024 impose significant restrictions on freedom of expression;

C. Whereas freedom of expression has deteriorated in Algeria, which has fallen to 139th place in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index; whereas journalists face increasing pressure and are often detained or prosecuted; whereas at least 215 individuals are imprisoned in Algeria as prisoners of conscience, according to Algerian human rights defenders; whereas censorship, trials, and harsh penalties against independent media, often accused of colluding with foreign powers against national security, are on the rise;

D. Whereas the EU allocated €213 million to Algeria between 2021 and 2024 under the Multiannual Indicative Program;

1. Condemns the arrest and detention of Boualem Sansal and calls for his immediate and unconditional release;

2. Similarly condemns the arrest of all other activists, political prisoners, journalists, and human rights defenders, as well as anyone detained or convicted for exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression, including journalist Abdelouakil Belam and Mohamed Tajdite, and calls for their release;

3. Urges EU institutions and the EU delegation to publicly express their concerns to the Algerian authorities and to organize a medical mission to assess Sansal’s health condition;

4. Calls on Algerian authorities to revise all repressive laws restricting freedoms, particularly Articles 87 bis, 95 bis, and 196 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, and to ensure the independence of the judiciary in order to protect freedom of the press as stipulated in Article 54 of the Algerian Constitution;

5. Reaffirms, as outlined in the EU-Algeria Partnership Priorities, the importance of the rule of law to promote freedom of expression, and stresses that the renewal of this agreement must be based on continuous and significant progress in the above-mentioned areas. It emphasizes that all future EU funding disbursements must take into account progress made in this regard;

6. Instructs its President to translate this resolution into Arabic and send it to the Algerian authorities, the Commission, and the Vice-President/High Representative.

Note: Amendments may be introduced tomorrow after the vote.