Lawyers draft law is a danger on Algeria’s sovereignty

Lawyers and law professors called on the government to open a national debate on lawyers’ draft bill issued in March 2010. It was submitted to Parliament after approbation of the cabinet.

The lawyers criticized the draft law and suggested to make changes to it during a parliamentary seminar. They believe the law contains errors which are not in conformity with fair trial rules and the UN principles in terms of lawyers’ role.

“The Algerian justice has witnessed deterioration in the last few years. The draft bill is meant to oblige lawyers to keep his cases confidential although this has serious consequences on expression freedom,” lawyer Khaled Bourayou told Echorouk.

Law professor at the University of Oran Abdelkader Bendaoud believes that some articles in the draft bill hit the national sovereignty. “Article No 6 opens door to any lawyer working for a foreign organization to defend suspects in Algerian courts.”

“The draft law must exclude cases in military tribunals. Foreign lawyers should not know details about military justice cases due to their sensitivity. Neighboring countries like Morocco do not allow foreign lawyers to defend suspects in their courts only upon authorization from justice minister,” he added.