On the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria
B-10-2025-0091
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Helmut Brandstätter, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Raquel García HermidaVan Der Walle, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Hilde Vautmans
- Voted on · Adopted 533–24–48 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2025/2512
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
The resolution condemns the detention of writer Boualem Sansal and other prisoners of opinion in Algeria, and calls for their release and for legal reforms to protect freedom of expression.¶¶ It also calls on Algerian authorities to allow foreign journalists to operate freely, implement UN recommendations, end intimidation of lawyers and judiciary, and expresses concern over political party reform.¶¶¶
Key points
- Calls on Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release writer Boualem Sansal and all those arbitrarily detained for expressing their opinion, including journalist Abdelwakil Blamm and poet Tajadit Mohamed.¶
- Calls on authorities to amend security-related clauses of the penal code, including articles 95bis and 196bis, to protect press freedom as enshrined in article 54 of Algeria's Constitution.
- Condemns the continued detention of at least 215 prisoners of opinion for participating in the Hirak protest movement or for sharing the hashtag #Iamnotsatisfied online.¶
- Deplores the lack of independent, free media in Algeria and calls on authorities to allow foreign journalists to freely operate in Algeria.¶
- Calls on Algerian authorities to accept and implement the recommendations of the UN periodic review, particularly to reform the penal code to protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.¶
- Calls on authorities to abide by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Algeria has ratified.
- 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.¶
- Expresses concern over the new political party reform which could end the multi-party system.¶
Who is affected
- Algerian authorities: must release detainees, amend penal code, allow foreign journalists, implement UN recommendations, end intimidation, and reconsider party reform.¶¶¶
- Detained individuals in Algeria, including Boualem Sansal, Abdelwakil Blamm, Tajadit Mohamed, and 215 prisoners of opinion: would be released if calls are heeded.¶
- Foreign journalists: would be allowed to operate freely in Algeria.¶
- Lawyers and judiciary in Algeria: would be free from intimidation and interference.¶
Figures and deadlines
- at least 215 people are detained in Algeria as prisoners of opinion¶¶
- 139th in the 2024 Press Freedom Index
- since mid-November 2024 (detention of Sansal)¶
- since mid-December (hospitalisation of Sansal)
- since December 29, 2024 (detention of Blamm)¶
- since 16 January 2025 (detention of Tajadit Mohamed)
- 22 months in prison (Ihsanne El Kadi)