Tayeb Louh: “There are no political prisoners in Algeria”

The Justice Minister and Keeper of the Seals, Mr. Tayeb Louh, has denied the existence of political prisoners in Algeria, citing to this effect the open and free-wheeling debates in newspapers and TV satellite channels, saying: “People speak freely and transparently and in some cases go beyond the limits of freedom, though, there are no political prisoners in Algeria,” by recalling in this respect the abolition of all press offenses in the newly-adopted Constitution.

Mr Tayeb Louh said on the sidelines of the voting session on the law on the composition and prerogatives of the National Council for Human Rights, at the National People’s Assembly, that the political prisoners’ file is sealed as we have none of them in the Algerian prisons, citing as an example the Algerian satellite TV channels which he said had cleared the way for the members of the opposition to express their views on a myriad of issues: “Everyone speaks in satellite TV channels in Algeria freely and transparently, and in some cases they exceed the limits of freedom without being bothered by anyone”, he stated. 

The Justice Minister further announced drastic changes to be brought to the functioning of the Supreme Court, as he confirmed that the Government is moving ahead with the introduction soon of sweeping reforms intended to upgrade the fundamental role of this higher Court, through the unification of jurisprudence and the monitoring of the strict and smooth implementation of the laws of the Republic at all levels.