Proposed Ten-year Biometric Passports For Algerian “Harraga” Abroad

The MP representing the Algerian Community members of the fourth region (Europe except France and the Americas) Mr. Noureddine Belmedah accused some bribed agents of some Consulates of handing over temporary passports to undocumented Algerians abroad (“Harraga”), while some disgruntled “Harraga” burned themselves with gasoline in front of Algerian diplomatic missions abroad, and proposed as a result the granting of a valid biometric passport for 10 years for this hapless segment of the Community.

In a written question addressed to Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, of which “Echorouk” received a copy, the latter specified the measures to be taken by the Government in order to facilitate the delivery of biometric passports for members of the community who are in the process of settling their legal status with the host country in line with Executive Decree 58-16.

“What prevents the members of the community who don’t possess residence documents (“Harraga”) from obtaining a valid biometric passport for 10 years?” Mr. Belmedah wondered.

He explained the accountability that the phrase “those who received acceptance of their file” that is, handing over the passport only to those whose files on settlement status was endorsed by the host country, while depriving many others from getting their passports and thereby securing the settlement of their status, as the study of any file requires the availability of a valid passport.

Mr. Belmedah pointed out that this untoward situation cleared the way for bribes, as many consular agents were accused of indulging in bribery, not to mention the woeful  scenes happening in front of the Algerian Consulates after the staging of protests there during which banners were raised demanding the right to a passport, and some other undocumented migrants tried to burn themselves with gasoline after all the Consulate’s doors were blocked, under the pretext that the Algerian Government doesn’t support illegal immigration.

The authorities, represented by the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, have approved the granting of a passport to those Algerians who are abroad illegally at the beginning of 2016. It is biometric and valid for one year and is issued in Algerian Consulates and diplomatic Missions based overseas.