International Human Rights Organization Condemns Urmas Paet Accusations Against Algeria

International Organization for Human Rights and the Defense of Public Freedom condemned the accusations that were made by European Parliament member Urmas Paet to Algeria about allegations of “escalating human rights violations” and calling on the European Commission to exert pressure on Algeria to enforce respect for human rights, and especially linking the financing of projects in the country to the extent of respect for these rights.

It said, in its statement from Algiers office: “We are following with great concern the remarks of the European MP, Urmas Paet , which are attacking Algeria’s sovereignty, through accusing it of violating human rights”.
“We deplore this extreme statement and insulting the sovereignty of Algeria, and the aid provided to Algeria should not be used to whitewash its status and reduce its role in the international arena”.
“Algeria is working hard to improve and promote human rights, and is working with all international and regional mechanisms, and is abiding by all the international and regional instruments to which it has acceded, and calling for joint action to protect human rights away from exploitation and politicization”.
European MP,  Urmas Paet , addressed in the weekend, a question to the High Representative of the European Union in charge of foreign affairs and security policy, Federica Mogherini, claiming “the existence of the escalation of human rights violations in Algeria”.
He wrote: “Fifteen years ago, the European Union and Algeria agreed on priorities in their partnership and signed an agreement in this framework, which was renewed on March,13, 2017, and which specifically provides for human rights guarantees in Algeria, but the according to the European Human Rights Organizations the number of human rights violations and crimes against human rights defenders continue to rise “.
“The long-awaited reform of Algerian constitution, which took place in 2016, did not improve the situation, since it does not provide for support and defense of civil and human rights, including freedom of expression. Attacking human rights defenders or people who criticize government policies or initiatives or belong to minorities have become a commonplace”.