Human Rights Watch: Lifting of state of emergency has no great impact in Algeria

The lifting of the state of emergency has a small impact on civil liberties exercise in Algeria because pre-existing legal arsenal is sometimes repressive, according to Sarah Leah Whitson, director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa division.

• An annual report issued by Human Rights Watch says Algeria continued to experience widespread human rights violations in 2010. A state of emergency- imposed in 1992 and renewed by decree in 1993- created a backdrop for widespread restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly. Authorities justify the measure as necessary to combat terrorism.
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• “The state controls broadcast media, which provides live telecasts of parliamentary sessions but airs almost no critical coverage of government policies,” says the report.
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• A 2000 decree banning demonstrations in Algiers remained in effect in 2010. Authorities require organisations to obtain authorisations from the local governments before holding indoor public meetings.
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• According to the same source, the US sees in Algeria as a major partner in combating extremism and terrorist networks and it is its second-largest trading partner in the Arab world.
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• The US provides almost no financial aid to Algeria, but it is the leading customer of its exports, primarily gas and oil. Other than the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the US said almost nothing publicly on Algeria’s human rights record. In a visit to Algeria in October, Department of State Advisor Judith E. Heumann praised the government for ratifying the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in December 2009.