Algeria: Algerian churches, NGOs wary as 'restrictive' law comes into force
10
January 2014
A
number of churches, as well as foreign NGOs, in Algeria have called for the
abolishment of a new law, which they say will hamper their work.
Under
the law, which will come into effect on Sunday (January 12), NGOs may be
dissolved or suspended if their business is deemed to interfere with national
affairs.
Those
who fail to comply with the law by January 12 will be liable to prosecution.
Amnesty
International claims the law gives Algerian authorities permission to restrict
the work of foreign NGOs, including human rights organisations.
The
law was passed in January 2012 as part of Algerian President Abdelaziz
Bouteflika's political reforms, but it has been criticised by Amnesty
International as "draconian".
In
a statement released on December 18, 2013 by its bureau in Algiers, the human
rights organisation said the law threatens freedom and democracy.
"The
new Algerian law on associations should be repealed before the expiry of the
deadline in January set for existing associations to get registered, in order to
avoid irreparable damage to Algerian civil society. This draconian law could
lead to the closure of independent organisations and civil society and stifle
debate on key political, social and economic issues," said Amnesty's
statement.
The
organisation adds that the law "arbitrarily restricts the right to freedom of
association and elevated it de
facto to a criminal offense, in
violation of state obligations prescribed by international human rights
law".
The
Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA) is among a number of other local
organisations concerned by the new law. Open Doors.
