Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International on Wednesday called on the Algerian authorities to reverse their decision to dissolve the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH), the leading Algerian non-governmental organization, and said the accusations are «politically motivated.» before demanding that Algiers allow it to operate freely The LADDH confirmed on January 23 its dissolution after «confirming «the authenticity of a document circulating on social networks by third parties» about a decision taken in June 2022 by a court ordering its dissolution following a request to that effect by the Ministry of the Interior. «The ruling ordering the dissolution of the LADDH has September 29 as the date,» he said.
The ruling mentions the ministry’s request, which demanded the dissolution of the organization arguing that the LADDH had committed «multiple branches with its name and legal legitimacy,» which would be in violation of laws. Thus, it referred to different fractions within the body in the past, although NGOs argue that they cannot be used to violate freedom of association by shutting down LADDH.
On the other hand, the Government accused the group of «maintaining relations with organizations in Libya and Tunisia», of «sending erroneous reports and information to United Nations entities» and of holding meetings with various international human rights organizations that Algiers considers as «hostile» and «under the influence of the Moroccan-Zionist lobby and members of the French left in the European Parliament».
HRW’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, Eric Goldstein, regretted that «the Algerian authorities seem determined to shut down any independent activity that reveals human rights violations.» «In this context, it was only a matter of time before they went after the oldest and most established human rights organization of all,» he said.
Amna Guellali, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, warned that «Algeria is rapidly sinking deeper and deeper into a human rights crisis in which there is virtually no more room for human rights work and activities». «The dismantling of the oldest Human Rights group in the country will go down in history as a shameful act that must be reversed immediately,» he concluded.
Algerian authorities dissolved in October 2021 Regroupement d’Action Jeunesse (RAJ), a non-governmental organization involved in the anti-government demonstrations that erupted in 2019 against then-President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s intention to run for a fifth term. The organization filed an appeal to the courts, which will have to rule on February 23.
On the other hand, Caritas announced its closure in September 2022 after authorities criticized its delivery of medical services to migrants, while the cultural association SOS Bab el Ued of Algiers suspended its operations following a raid in April 2021. In May 2022, the governor of Oran asked a court to dissolve the Santé Sidi Huari association, dedicated to rehabilitating cultural heritage, although a court rejected the request in December.
The LADDH, the African country’s leading human rights organization, was founded in 1985 and was authorized to operate in 1989. The body has been critical of the repression of protests and the outlawing of various organizations in recent years.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
