Amnesty opposes death penalty for child killers

Amnesty International Algeria Thursday announced it is against death penalties for child killers and showed solidarity for victims’ families.

“Authorities still impose restrictions on expression and rallies freedom as well as associations creation,” the organization president Ali Yemloul told a news conference.

“Union members took to the street last year to protest against unemployment, poverty and corruption. They were dispersed by security forces. Planned protests were prevented as protesters were arrested,” he added.

He mentioned some arrested names such as Yacine Zaid and Abdelkader Kherba.

He also said authorities imposed restrictions on media coverage in the State’s security and corruption-related cases.

The non-governmental organization showed dissatisfaction about death penalties decided by Algerian justice last year. “A total of 159 people got death sentences in absentia on terror-related charges. Any of the sentences was executed. Authorities have suspended death penalty since 1993.”

Speaking about calls for applying death penalties on child killers, Yemloul said death penalty is a violation of life right, the UN charters and international accords on human rights. “We condemn the killing of children and we show solidarity for victims’ families. Yet, we are against death penalty. Death sentences can not reduce violence.”