On the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria

B100088/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria

(2025/2512(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to its previous human rights resolutions on Algeria,

A.whereas on 16 November 2024, Boualem Sansal, a 75 years old Franco-Algerian writer and staunch critic of the Algerian regime, was arrested by Algerian police on the false charge of "undermining state security and territorial integrity" and was labelled an “imposter sent by France” by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune;

B.whereas relations between France and Algeria are at their lowest point following France's recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in July 2024; whereas Boualem Sansal’s arbitrary arrest constitutes a political retaliation against France and is also a consequence of his condemnation of the authoritarian Algerian regime and the rise of Islamism;

C.whereas France has demanded his immediate release; whereas Sansal’s appeal to end his detention was rejected on 29 December 2024; whereas his lawyer has not been authorized to enter Algerian territory;

D.whereas, following the surge of diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers, several Algerian citizens residing in France have expressed their outrage against France, in violent terms, including calling for terrorist actions; whereas several of these individuals were deported to Algeria, only to be denied entry by Algerian authorities and subsequently returned to France;

E.whereas the return rate of Algerian nationals from the EU stood at 10% in 2024, mostly because Algeria refuses to issue emergency travel documents; whereas under Article 12(4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), signatories, including Algeria, are legally obligated to allow their nationals to return to their country of origin;

F.whereas, since 2005, Algeria is a member of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership; whereas, between 2021 and 2024, Algeria has received 172 million euros in EU funding under the European Neighbourhood Instrument;

1.Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the political prisonner Boualem Sansal, who is the hostage of deteriorating diplomatic relations between France and Algeria;

2.Recalls Algeria’s obligations to uphold freedom of expression, media freedom, the promotion of fundamental rights, including religious freedom, under Article 2 of the 2005 Euro-Mediterranean Partnership;

3.Calls on the EU and its Member States to stand by France until the release of Boualem Sansal, including by taking economic and diplomatic actions against Algeria; calls on the Commission to suspend EU funding under the NDICI, to restrict visa issuance to Algerian citizens, particularly to Algerian officials, and to make the forthcoming 2025 revision of the EU-Algeria Partnership conditional on the release of Boualem Sansal;

4.Reminds that Algerians represent, in France, the biggest population of illegal immigrants sentenced to expulsion and of foreign prisoners; calls on Member States to develop a joint strategy to compel countries of origin to deliver emergency travel documents to their nationals that are to be expelled from the EU, including to criminals and illegal immigrants;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Governments and Parliaments of Member States and the Government and Parliament of Algeria;