Faouzi Tellaa: A Retaliatory Campaign Against His Courageous Journey to Uncover the Truth About His Father’s Enforced Disappearance

The systematic harassment and direct and indirect threats against families of forcibly disappeared persons in Algeria persist. These actions aim to silence their legitimate pursuit of truth and justice regarding enforced disappearance cases, in blatant violation of human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to seek truth.
Among these cases is that of Mr. Faouzi Tellaa, a 34-year-old residing with his family in the province of Constantine, eastern Algeria. Faouzi Tellaa has been the target of a retaliatory campaign due to his relentless efforts to uncover the truth and achieve justice for the enforced disappearance of his father, Farid Tellaa, in 1998. This case has left deep pain in his family’s heart and represents a stark example of the suffering faced by victims of enforced disappearance and their families in their search for truth and justice.
Mr. Faouzi Tellaa has been subjected to ongoing intimidation by Algerian security forces. He was arrested and imprisoned in 2020 and 2023. His family home in Constantine has been searched multiple times. Despite filing numerous complaints with judicial authorities to stop the harassment and threats, he continues to face direct threats, including arbitrary legal persecution and repeated summons from security agencies. Additionally, he receives continuous threatening messages aimed at deterring him from pursuing his case, along with attempts to tarnish his reputation.
Faouzi Tellaa’s journey to find his father is not merely a personal struggle but a profound expression of his belief in justice, human dignity, and truth. However, his noble quest has been met with attempts to silence him through various forms of intimidation. These measures not only target Faouzi Tellaa but aim to suppress all voices demanding justice and human rights. Such practices constitute a serious escalation in targeting human rights defenders and families of enforced disappearance victims in Algeria. This is particularly alarming as the Algerian state has yet to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. These actions contradict both national and international laws that guarantee the right to freedom of expression, the right to know the truth, and the right of families to seek justice without fear or intimidation.
SHOAA demands the Algerian authorities to:
1. Cease all forms of retaliation and intimidation against Faouzi Tellaa and ensure his and his family’s immediate protection from any threats or reprisals.

2. Urgently ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and align national legislation with its provisions to ensure the rights of victims and their families.

3. Respect the rights of human rights defenders, guarantee freedom of expression and accountability, and stop using security apparatus as a tool to suppress voices demanding justice.

4. Protect the families of forcibly disappeared persons and establish clear mechanisms to shield them from retaliatory actions.

A call to the international community and human rights organizations:
SHOAA urges the United Nations and regional and international human rights organizations to intensify efforts to:

1. Pressure the Algerian authorities to ensure the protection of Mr. Faouzi Tellaa, his family, and all families of the forcibly disappeared.

2. Stand with Faouzi Tellaa in his just struggle and support the efforts of all those seeking justice to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.

3. Monitor the human rights situation in Algeria and ensure compliance with international standards.

4. Include the issue of enforced disappearance in Algeria among international priorities to achieve justice.

Enforced disappearance is a crime that does not fall under the statute of limitations:

SHOAA for Human Rights emphasizes that enforced disappearance cases constitute a crime against humanity under international law and represent a serious violation that does not expire with time. Mr. Faouzi Tellaa and his family’s struggle is a legitimate right that cannot be restricted or confiscated. We hold the authorities responsible for these violations fully accountable for any harm that may befall Faouzi Tellaa or any member of his family as a result of their courageous stance.

SHOAA reaffirms its full commitment to defending human rights and exposing all practices that aim to suppress voices demanding truth and justice. We reiterate our solidarity with Mr. Faouzi Tellaa and everyone striving to uncover the fate of their loved ones.