The NGO Amnesty International, in a press release published on its website on Monday 3 April, called on the Algerian authorities to release all journalists unjustly detained, to drop all political charges brought against at least six of them, and to quash the conviction of journalist Ihsane El Kadi.
Journalist El Kadi was sentenced on April 2 by the Sidi M’Hamed court in Algiers to five years in prison, two of which were suspended, « on the basis of unfounded accusations related to having received funding in the purpose of engaging in ‘political propaganda’ and ‘undermining state security’, » Amnesty said.
He had published, on December 24, shortly before his arrest, an analysis of the next presidential elections in Algeria in 2024, in which he criticized the role of the Algerian army.
According to Amna Guellali, deputy regional director for North Africa and the Middle East at Amnesty, “Ihsane El Kadi is the latest journalist targeted by the Algerian authorities as part of the offensive against independent media. They take extreme measures to stifle critical voices, while the Algerian Constitution protects the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of the press”.
The NGO reports that in recent months, a court sentenced to death in absentia an Algerian journalist accused of espionage and at least five others are being prosecuted on unfounded charges, most of them in connection with the « dissemination of false information”. At least three outlets accused of streaming online without permission have also been shut down.
For Amnesty, all journalists imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including on preposterous charges of spreading « fake news », must be released immediately and without conditions.
“Using bogus laws to gag journalism is completely unacceptable. The media in Algeria should be free to exercise their right to freedom of expression, which is protected by international law,” insisted Amna Guellali.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1118 of 05/04/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
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