Syndicate of Algerian Detainees In Iraq Asks For Urgent Solution To Settle Prisoners File

Association of Algerian detainees in Iraq expressed its concerns about the procrastination in closing the file of Algerian prisoners in Iraq, especially after the Iraqi authorities implemented, last Wednesday, the death sentence by hanging against a number of detainees from Arab countries on charges of terrorism.

Houari Kaddour, in charge of coordination with national and international bodies, said in a statement on Saturday, the weakness of the Iraqi judicial system and the atmosphere that is prevailing in Iraq forced us to feel deep concern about the conviction and the execution of people who are not guilty, adding that it is a grave violation of international human rights standards and the resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations and the Human Rights Council of the United Nations on urging States to suspend the work with the death penalty.

Same syndicate explained that the sentences of the majority of Algerian detainees in Iraq expired on August 20, 2016, and until today, they did not return to their homeland despite the fact that the Iraqi justice stipulates their deportation immediately after the end of their sentences, calling for the Algerian and Iraqi sides to cooperate with each other to re-trial two detainees who were sentenced to death so as to achieve interest and ensure fair trials for prisoners in both countries, and taking into consideration the circumstances of the previous trials and mechanisms.

“File of Algerian detainees in Iraq becomes one of the priorities in the Algerian presidency, as it is watched by the President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, according to the latest statement from the presidency, after the reception of the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Ibrahim al-Ashqar Jaafari on February 25, 2016, so the syndicate of supporting Algerian detainees in Iraq is waiting for the Algerian presidency to close the file finally, and is surprised with the lack of interaction of the Iraqi authorities and the closure of this file which has complicated procedures that make families becomes fed up and tired of waiting for a solution, and wondered in the same context, about the feasibility of keeping the prisoners whose jail terms ended in Iraqi prisons, although there are unremitting efforts by Algerian authorities for the development of bilateral relationships in the direction that serves the compatible interests of the two countries on the many Arab and international issues.