Crackdown on Algerian NGOs on the rise

In continuation of the crackdown on civil society, the Algerian authorities have suspended and dissolved two human rights associations for their participation in the 2019 protests that led to the overthrow of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika over his nomination for a fifth presidential term.

The Algerian Administrative Court upheld a court ruling dissolving the Youth Action Rally (RAJ) on February 23, the NGO announced on its Facebook page, adding that the court ruling is final and unchallengeable. The organization, which was created in 1992, was handed down the initial verdict in October 2021 for charges of “having a role during the 2019 protests in a way contradicts the law of NGOs.”

The case dates back to December 26, 2021, when the Ministry of Interior filed a lawsuit against the organization, accusing RAJ of violating law No. 12/06 regarding NGOs, as the organization’s basic objectives contradict the law.

The Administrative Court also suspended the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS), a left-wing party that participated in the 2019 protests.

The Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) announced on February 18 that Raouf Farrah, a senior analyst at GI-TOC, was arrested in Annaba, Algeria, on February 14. It added in a statement that Farrah’s parents were also arrested. Only his mother was released, but his father remains detained.

Raouf was charged with “spreading information and documents that are classified as secret” and the crime of “receiving funds for the purpose of committing acts that would disturb the public peace.” 

The GI-TOC declined to give more comments on the case to Jusoor Post, saying, “At this stage in the legal case we do not wish to make any further comment other than what we have stated in our public pronouncements. We have faith that Raouf and his father will be able to clear their name.” 

‘Act of intimidation’

The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights said it deplores the measure and wishes to remind the Algerian authorities that such a decision contradicts the obligations arising from Articles 10 and 11 on freedom of association and assembly protected by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter).

The Commission added that the dissolution of the organizations contradicts the Guidelines of Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa.

“This unacceptable decision constitutes an act of intimidation and an attempt to silence human rights defenders and undoubtedly contributes to the reduction of civic space in this country,” the Commission added.

“Suspending the MDS and closing its premises, almost a year after imposing the same sanction on PST, is a political decision that reflects the will of those in power to pursue the restoration of the regime through repression and the muzzle of democratic freedoms,” former Secretary General of the Socialist Workers' Party (PST) Mahmoud Rechidi posted on Facebook.

Also, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, said, “Acts of intimidation, silencing and repression against the human rights movement must end.”

RAJ is not the only organization that has been dissolved in this way by the Ministry of Interior.  The Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH) was dissolved by a ruling from the Administrative Court of Algiers on June 29, 2022, following a complaint filed by the Ministry of the Interior. The LADDH announced the court ruling on January 20, 2023, saying that the judiciary procedures were taken without being notified.

In addition, the Caritas Algeria humanitarian organization, which is affiliated with the Catholic Church, shut down its activities upon a request from the Algerian authorities, Le Monde newspaper reported on September 22, 2022.

Nasser Amin, head of the Arab Center for Independence of Judiciary & Legal Profession (ACIJLP) and former member of the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), told Jusoor Post said that what is happening in Algeria is, unfortunately, a direct result of some of the repressive practices that take place in the region. 

“After the arrival of some authoritarian regimes to power again in some countries in the region […] the attack on civil society organizations began to occur,” he said, noting that these regimes see the role of NGOs, which are non-political and defined only in raising the awareness, as a threat to them, which has resulted in an increase in the rates of siege on civil society in the region.

International laws guarantee protection of human rights defenders and voluntary work, and expressly stipulate the rejection of any repressive or authoritarian practices or the dissolution of associations through administrative means, Amin said. He added that according to the mechanisms of the United Nations and the working groups of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, there is a special rapporteur for the protection of human rights defenders and civil society to whom Algerian NGOs can report the restrictions and violations.

The latest update: is 12:59 PM (Cairo time) on March 9, 2023.