European Parliament Votes On An Emergency Resolution Concerning The Repression Of Press Freedom In Algeria
Strasbourg, May 12 (TNA) The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday, adopted by a large majority (536 votes in favor, 4 against, and 18 abstentions), an emergency resolution expressing concern over the significant deterioration of press freedom in Algeria since the Hirak protests in 2019 and the harassment suffered by journalists.
Through this resolution, the EP joins several human rights organizations that have repeatedly called on Algerian authorities about the case of Ihsane El Kadi, who is not the only victim of the systematic violation of press freedom.
In this regard, European parliamentarians demand that Algerian authorities immediately release all arbitrarily detained individuals charged with exercising their right to freedom, including the case of journalist Ihsane El Kadi, director of Radio M and Maghreb Émergent, rare independent media in Algeria.
It should be noted that this journalist, who has been in detention since the end of December 2022, was sentenced to three years in prison on April 2nd, 2023, on unfounded charges of illegal fundraising, endangering state security, and public order. His company, Interface Médias, was dissolved, and its assets seized.
The resolution calls on Algerian authorities to amend security-related charges in the penal code, which are used to criminalize the right to freedom of expression. The resolution notes that since the Hirak protests in 2019, the situation regarding press freedom has significantly deteriorated in Algeria, with authorities increasingly blocking critical news and publication websites against the government.
The EP urgently calls on all EU institutions and member states to openly condemn the repression of press freedom in Algeria while calling on the EU delegation and embassies of countries to request access to imprisoned journalists and attend trials.
The EP resolution urges Algerian authorities to ensure the issuance of visas and necessary permits to foreign journalists and media so that they can work freely. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) quickly congratulated the EP's adoption of this emergency resolution through a publication by its Representative to the EU, Julie Majerczak , on RSF's website on the same day.