French FM: “Our Embassy In Algeria Follows The Situation Of Christians, Religious Minorities”

French Foreign Ministry said that its embassy is attentive to the situation of Christians and religious minorities in Algeria.

“The religious affairs’ adviser in the Quai d’Orsay met with several Protestant officials and talked with them about the difficulties which they face in Algeria from closing and waxing churches, fines, and prosecutions against missionaries, pressures, and intimidation”.

French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs said, in response to parliamentary accountability dated January 15, which informed copy is available to Echorouk, that its embassy in Algeria is informed about the situation of religious minorities and is aware of this situation.

French FM stated that France remains very committed to the freedom of belief and thought that is contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The document revealed that the religious adviser in the Quai d’Orsay met several Protestant figures and talked with them about files related to the difficulties faced by some of the followers of this doctrine (Protestant) in recent months, explaining that they said they were under pressure and intimidation, and the waxing of places of worship and notifications of closure of others, and refusing visas for clerics, fines and cases against missionaries and the confiscation of works and religious (books) references.

The French Foreign Ministry explained that it respects the sovereignty of Algeria, which is responsible for managing what it deems appropriate to practice religion on its territory, but France, in cooperation with its European partners, will not miss the opportunity to address the issue of the situation of religious minorities with the Algerian authorities.

The Foreign Office of Paris spoke of intensive and continuous dialogue with the Algerian authorities, which allows it to raise all issues, especially those relating to human rights and individual freedoms, noting that the Freedom of belief is enshrined in the Algerian Constitution through Article 42.