On the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria

B100091/2025

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, including its latest of 11 May 2023,

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

A.whereas French-Algerian writer and vocal critic of the Algerian Government Boualem Sansal, 75 and seriously ill, has been arbitrarily detained by Algerian authorities since mid-November 2024 and hospitalised since mid-December;

B.whereas freedom of expression has severely deteriorated, with Algeria falling to 139th in the 2024 Press Freedom Index; whereas journalists have been under rising pressure, often prosecuted and detained; whereas at least 215 people are detained in Algeria as prisoners of opinion according to Algerian human rights defenders; whereas broad dispositions in the penal code, notably article 87bis, have been used to quell freedom of speech under the pretext of fighting terrorism; as well as censorship notably by banning French-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud's recent book on political grounds;

C.whereas independent journalist Abdelwakil Blamm has been detained on bogus charges since December 29, 2024; whereas poet and human rights defender Tajadit Mohamed has also been detained since 16 January 2025; whereas journalist Ihsanne El Kadi was released in October 2024 after 22 months in prison;

D.whereas, in the past years, rights and freedoms have persistently degraded beyond freedom of expression, including freedom of assembly and association, and the right to strike; whereas Algeria’s leading human rights organisation has been dissolved;

1.calls on Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release writer Boualem Sansal and all those arbitrarily detained for expressing their opinion, including independent journalist Abdelwakil Blamm and poet and human rights defender Tajadit Mohamed; calls on authorities to amend the security-related clauses of its penal code, including articles 95bis and 196bis, to protect freedom of the press as enshrined in article 54 of Algeria’s Constitution;

2.condemns the continued detention of at least 215 prisoners of opinion for taking part in Algeria’s “Hirak” protest movement, or for sharing the hashtag “#Iamnotsatisfied” online or for publishing critical posts on social media;

3.deplores the lack of independent, free media in Algeria; recalls the essential role played by a strong, independent and pluralist press within any democratic society; calls on Algerian authorities to allow foreign journalists to freely operate in Algeria;

4.calls on Algerian authorities to accept and implement the recommendations of the UN periodic review, in particular the recommendation to reform its penal code to protect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly; calls on authorities to abide by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Algeria has ratified;

5.calls on Algerian authorities to end intimidation and interference in the work of lawyers and members of the judiciary dealing with cases of persons detained for exercising their rights to freedom of association, expression, peaceful assembly and belief;

6.expresses its concern over the new political party reform which could end the multi-party system;

7.instructs its President to translate this resolution into Arabic and forward it to Algeria’s Parliament and Government.