On the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria

B100089/2025

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

(2025/2512(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Algeria,

–having regard to the EU-Algeria Association Agreement and to the EU-Algeria partnership priorities,

–having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),

–having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas Boualem Sansal, a French-Algerian author, publicly took robust stances against authoritarianism and in favour of the freedom of expression in Algeria; whereas he was taken into custody in Algiers since 16 November 2024 on charges of undermining the integrity of the national territory; whereas this charge is considered as an act of terrorism under article 87 bis of the Algerian penal code; whereas he faces life imprisonment if found guilty of these charges;

B.whereas Algeria is a Party to the UDHR; whereas Algeria is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the period 2023-2025; whereas Algeria committed respecting and promoting the freedom of expression in full compliance with its international obligations and its Constitution; whereas Algeria modified in 2024 provisions of its penal code with the aim to further restrict the freedom of expression;

C.whereas since the 2019 Hirak protests, Algeria’s authorities have substantially clamped down on freedom of expression and media freedom; whereas Algerian Human Rights activists, defenders and journalists are imprisoned for exercising their rights;

1.Calls on Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Boualem Sansal and all those detained and charged for exercising their rights to freedom of expression or opinion, including Tadjadit Mohamed;

2.Calls on the Algerian authorities to close the case and drop the charges against Boualem Sansal and the Algerian journalists, including Abdelwakil Blamm, human rights defenders and peaceful activists facing threat, judicial harassment and prosecution for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and media freedoms;

3.Expresses its concerns about the trend of increasing repression of peaceful dissent in Algeria; reiterates its calls to the Algerian authorities to respect and uphold fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and opinion as enshrined in Article 41 of Algeria’s Constitution and in full compliance with the UDHR and the ICCPR that Algeria ratified;

4.Urges the Algerian authorities to review all repressive laws aiming at restricting the freedoms, in particular the Article 87bis of Algeria’s Penal Code, and the judiciary’s independence;

5.Calls on the Algerian authorities to guarantee to the civil society organisations the freedom to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without undue restriction and fear of reprisal;

6.Urge the EU Institutions and the EU Delegation to publicly share their concerns and raise the case of Boualem Sansal and all those arbitrarily detained with the Algerian authorities; urges the EU Institutions to increase their support to human rights defenders, democracy activists and journalists;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Algerian Authorities, the Commission, the VP/HR and the Member States.