What changed

B100088/2025

B100093/2025

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

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Algeria,

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

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

A. whereas the Algerian authorities implemented the so called “anti-terrorism” legislation in 2021 and have been suppressing democratic values and human rights ever since; whereas the Algerian people have faced systematic repression on unjustified bases; whereas the peaceful civil movement Hirak was forced to shut down by Algerian authorities;

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 the systematic crackdown on democratic values and human rights conducted by Algerian authorities has weakened the civil society as freedom of expression, religion, and the press are in decline; whereas Abdelmadjid Tebboune was re-elected in 2024 and the human rights situation remains elusive; whereas recent arrests and criminal charges illustrate the fact that prisoners of conscience are in a hopeless situation;

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 the powerlessness of the judicial system and the intervention of the executive branch of the judiciary has led to unfair trials; whereas there are currently over 215 activists, journalists and defenders incarcerated for exercising their human rights; whereas religious minorities have also faced discrimination and repression;

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 Boualem Sansal was arrested on 16th of November 2024 and has been imprisoned ever since; whereas Sansal has been hospitalized several times; whereas Sansal’s health is constantly deteriorating; whereas Sansal is being falsely accused of “undermining the integrity of national territory” which equates to terrorism under Article 87 of the Algerian penal code; whereas if found guilty, Sansal faces a life sentence;

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;

1. Strongly condemns the unjust imprisonment of Boualem Sansal, as well as all other dissident voices to the current government, either imprisoned, detained or facing constructed legal charges;

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;

2. Demands that Algerian authorities release Boualem Sansal immediately and unconditionally, as well as all others detained or imprisoned for exercising their freedoms and democratic rights, and to drop all charges against them;

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;

3. Denounces the degradation of the rule of law, human rights and freedom of speech in Algeria and urges the authorities to repeal all repressive legislation and ensure the judiciary’s independence;

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;

4. Demands that Algerian authorities stop all ongoing human rights violations related to freedom of expression, religion, speech, and press;

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;

5. Demands that the right to freedom of religion be fully restored through recognizing the Ahmadiyya communities and granting them the ability to register as a religious association as well as reopening all EPA churches that were closed and renewing their registration as an association;

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;

6. Calls on the EEAS to monitor the human rights violations in Algeria as well as the possible trial 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;

7. Highlights the need to protect civil society organizations and preserve press freedom;

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