Algeria: 9,000 African children and women exploited in prostitution

Head of the Algerian Red Crescent Saida Benhbiless Monday said Africans in Algeria are not treated as “files or animals but as guests,” in response to criticism over their deportation.

“The Algerian Red Crescent is the only voice which does good things without any political purposes,” said Benhbiless.

“Algerians are attached to their solidarity policy. Education is free. Africans and Algerians get married with each other,” she added.

She also said 180,466 Africans were deported. Of them, 9,000 children and women were exploited in prostitution.

 She added that criminal networks received money in return for transporting African nationals to Algerians.

She believes that no contamination case was reported due to health prevention measures and a comprehensive health cover.

“Some reported AIDS cases are controlled,” she said.

“Most of those Africans said they are happy to come back to their homeland,” she added.

Benhbliess talked about many hidnrances faced by the Crescent’s workers in dealing with some deported Africans.

“Our members understand how to deal with Africans. Some of them in Dely Brahim area in Algiers perpetrated violent acts to protest against deportation. Three workers were wounded and some properties were destroyed,” she added.