US Officials: “We Didn’t Put Pressure On Algeria With Periodic Reports

US Diplomats highlighted that there has been remarkable progress in the protection of human rights in Algeria, especially the context known to the regional environment, while stressing that the relations between the two countries are “strong and continuous and are built on frankness and disclosure.”
In this connection, a US diplomat said in remarks to “Echorouk” after the US State Department published its annual report on the human rights situation that the document highlighted “the great progress recorded in the field of human rights, especially as regards the enforcement of the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation in Algeria.”
He further denied any intention of his country to press Algeria with a human rights document saying: “We never exert any pressure on the Algerian government, and as you know, our country attaches very great importance to the reality of human rights, as part of the establishment of American foreign relations,” he said.
The source responded to a question regarding the American administration’s right to evaluate states, in the field of human rights, especially if their records are black. The spokesman replied: “We are not a party to the courts of states. The report is only news-oriented, and we believe that the purpose of the report is to exchange views with other parties.
“Even in our country, there are those who assess the human rights situation, whether from other countries, human rights systems or individuals, and we accept the criticism that is directed at us”, while expressing his country’s position on Algeria’s foreign policy.
Among the positive points recorded by Washington in the field of human rights, include the reality inside the prisons and the attention of the public authorities to this file, and the opportunity for international organizations to visit prisons as well as the assistance provided to Sahrawi refugees, and the opportunity to educate and to treat humanely the children of illegal immigrants.
“Washington defends sexual identity and the right of everyone to show their sexual orientation and homosexuality,” the spokesman said. “It is known that the report criticized what he called pressure, “We are with the right of minorities to practice their religion, and as we defend in Algeria, the Ahmadis, the Jews and the Christians, as we defend the Muslim minorities in the West,” he said.
Regarding the points contained in the report, the diplomat said that the same criteria are adopted by the authors of the report in Algeria, as it is adopted in other countries and there is no specificity for Algeria only.
“It is based on three sources: periodic meetings conducted by the US Embassy here in Algeria with various ministers, the second is related to what the national press writes, and third, the meetings held by the US Embassy with civil society, human rights activists and non-governmental organizations”, he added.