resolution motion, 20 January 2025
On the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria
Motion B-10-2025-0089 · (2025/2512(RSP))
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Marta Temido
AI:In short
The resolution calls on Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Boualem Sansal and all those detained for exercising freedom of expression, and to drop charges against journalists, human rights defenders and activists. It expresses concern about repression of dissent, urges Algeria to respect fundamental freedoms, review repressive laws, and guarantee civil society freedom, and urges EU institutions to raise these cases and support defenders.
Key points
- Calls on Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Boualem Sansal and all those detained for exercising freedom of expression or opinion, including Tadjadit Mohamed.
- Calls on Algerian authorities to close the case and drop charges against Sansal and journalists, including Abdelwakil Blamm, human rights defenders and peaceful activists facing judicial harassment.
- Expresses concern about increasing repression of peaceful dissent in Algeria and reiterates calls to respect fundamental freedoms as enshrined in Article 41 of Algeria’s Constitution and international obligations.
- Urges Algerian authorities to review repressive laws restricting freedoms, particularly Article 87bis of the Penal Code, and to ensure judiciary independence.
- Calls on Algerian authorities to guarantee civil society organisations freedom to carry out legitimate human rights activities without undue restriction or fear of reprisal.
- Urges EU institutions and the EU Delegation to publicly raise the case of Sansal and all arbitrarily detained with Algerian authorities, and to increase support to human rights defenders, democracy activists and journalists.
Who is affected
- Algerian authorities: must release detainees, drop charges, review laws, and respect freedoms.
- Detained individuals like Boualem Sansal and Tadjadit Mohamed: would be released and charges dropped.
- Journalists, human rights defenders and activists in Algeria: would be freed from prosecution and harassment.
- Civil society organisations in Algeria: would gain freedom to operate without restrictions.
- EU institutions and Delegation: urged to raise cases and increase support.
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 18 paragraphs
B100089/2025
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria
(2025/2512(RSP))
The European Parliament,
–having regard to its previous resolutions on Algeria,
–having regard to the EU-Algeria Association Agreement and to the EU-Algeria partnership priorities,
–having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),
–having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A.whereas Boualem Sansal, a French-Algerian author, publicly took robust stances against authoritarianism and in favour of the freedom of expression in Algeria; whereas he was taken into custody in Algiers since 16 November 2024 on charges of undermining the integrity of the national territory; whereas this charge is considered as an act of terrorism under article 87 bis of the Algerian penal code; whereas he faces life imprisonment if found guilty of these charges;
B.whereas Algeria is a Party to the UDHR; whereas Algeria is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the period 2023-2025; whereas Algeria committed respecting and promoting the freedom of expression in full compliance with its international obligations and its Constitution; whereas Algeria modified in 2024 provisions of its penal code with the aim to further restrict the freedom of expression;
C.whereas since the 2019 Hirak protests, Algeria’s authorities have substantially clamped down on freedom of expression and media freedom; whereas Algerian Human Rights activists, defenders and journalists are imprisoned for exercising their rights;
1.Calls on Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Boualem Sansal and all those detained and charged for exercising their rights to freedom of expression or opinion, including Tadjadit Mohamed;
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2.Calls on the Algerian authorities to close the case and drop the charges against Boualem Sansal and the Algerian journalists, including Abdelwakil Blamm, human rights defenders and peaceful activists facing threat, judicial harassment and prosecution for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and media freedoms;
3.Expresses its concerns about the trend of increasing repression of peaceful dissent in Algeria; reiterates its calls to the Algerian authorities to respect and uphold fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and opinion as enshrined in Article 41 of Algeria’s Constitution and in full compliance with the UDHR and the ICCPR that Algeria ratified;
4.Urges the Algerian authorities to review all repressive laws aiming at restricting the freedoms, in particular the Article 87bis of Algeria’s Penal Code, and the judiciary’s independence;
5.Calls on the Algerian authorities to guarantee to the civil society organisations the freedom to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without undue restriction and fear of reprisal;
6.Urge the EU Institutions and the EU Delegation to publicly share their concerns and raise the case of Boualem Sansal and all those arbitrarily detained with the Algerian authorities; urges the EU Institutions to increase their support to human rights defenders, democracy activists and journalists;
7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Algerian Authorities, the Commission, the VP/HR and the Member States.