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resolution motion, 20 January 2025

On the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria

Motion B-10-2025-0091 · (2025/2512(RSP))

on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Helmut Brandstätter, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Raquel García HermidaVan Der Walle, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Hilde Vautmans

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

The resolution condemns the detention of writer Boualem Sansal and other prisoners of opinion in Algeria, and calls for their release and for legal reforms to protect freedom of expression. It also calls on Algerian authorities to allow foreign journalists to operate freely, implement UN recommendations, end intimidation of lawyers and judiciary, and expresses concern over political party reform.

Key points

  1. Calls on Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release writer Boualem Sansal and all those arbitrarily detained for expressing their opinion, including journalist Abdelwakil Blamm and poet Tajadit Mohamed.
  2. Calls on authorities to amend security-related clauses of the penal code, including articles 95bis and 196bis, to protect press freedom as enshrined in article 54 of Algeria's Constitution.
  3. Condemns the continued detention of at least 215 prisoners of opinion for participating in the Hirak protest movement or for sharing the hashtag #Iamnotsatisfied online.
  4. Deplores the lack of independent, free media in Algeria and calls on authorities to allow foreign journalists to freely operate in Algeria.
  5. Calls on Algerian authorities to accept and implement the recommendations of the UN periodic review, particularly to reform the penal code to protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
  6. Calls on authorities to abide by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Algeria has ratified.
  7. Calls on Algerian authorities to end intimidation and interference in the work of lawyers and members of the judiciary dealing with cases of persons detained for exercising their rights.
  8. Expresses concern over the new political party reform which could end the multi-party system.

Who is affected

  • Algerian authorities: must release detainees, amend penal code, allow foreign journalists, implement UN recommendations, end intimidation, and reconsider party reform.
  • Detained individuals in Algeria, including Boualem Sansal, Abdelwakil Blamm, Tajadit Mohamed, and 215 prisoners of opinion: would be released if calls are heeded.
  • Foreign journalists: would be allowed to operate freely in Algeria.
  • Lawyers and judiciary in Algeria: would be free from intimidation and interference.

Figures and deadlines

  • at least 215 people are detained in Algeria as prisoners of opinion
  • 139th in the 2024 Press Freedom Index
  • since mid-November 2024 (detention of Sansal)
  • since mid-December (hospitalisation of Sansal)
  • since December 29, 2024 (detention of Blamm)
  • since 16 January 2025 (detention of Tajadit Mohamed)
  • 22 months in prison (Ihsanne El Kadi)

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 17 paragraphs

B100091/2025

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, including its latest of 11 May 2023,

–having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas French-Algerian writer and vocal critic of the Algerian Government Boualem Sansal, 75 and seriously ill, has been arbitrarily detained by Algerian authorities since mid-November 2024 and hospitalised since mid-December;

B.whereas freedom of expression has severely deteriorated, with Algeria falling to 139th in the 2024 Press Freedom Index; whereas journalists have been under rising pressure, often prosecuted and detained; whereas at least 215 people are detained in Algeria as prisoners of opinion according to Algerian human rights defenders; whereas broad dispositions in the penal code, notably article 87bis, have been used to quell freedom of speech under the pretext of fighting terrorism; as well as censorship notably by banning French-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud's recent book on political grounds;

C.whereas independent journalist Abdelwakil Blamm has been detained on bogus charges since December 29, 2024; whereas poet and human rights defender Tajadit Mohamed has also been detained since 16 January 2025; whereas journalist Ihsanne El Kadi was released in October 2024 after 22 months in prison;

D.whereas, in the past years, rights and freedoms have persistently degraded beyond freedom of expression, including freedom of assembly and association, and the right to strike; whereas Algeria’s leading human rights organisation has been dissolved;

1.calls on Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release writer Boualem Sansal and all those arbitrarily detained for expressing their opinion, including independent journalist Abdelwakil Blamm and poet and human rights defender Tajadit Mohamed; calls on authorities to amend the security-related clauses of its penal code, including articles 95bis and 196bis, to protect freedom of the press as enshrined in article 54 of Algeria’s Constitution;

2.condemns the continued detention of at least 215 prisoners of opinion for taking part in Algeria’s “Hirak” protest movement, or for sharing the hashtag “#Iamnotsatisfied” online or for publishing critical posts on social media;

Read the rest (5 paragraphs)

3.deplores the lack of independent, free media in Algeria; recalls the essential role played by a strong, independent and pluralist press within any democratic society; calls on Algerian authorities to allow foreign journalists to freely operate in Algeria;

4.calls on Algerian authorities to accept and implement the recommendations of the UN periodic review, in particular the recommendation to reform its penal code to protect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly; calls on authorities to abide by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Algeria has ratified;

5.calls on Algerian authorities to end intimidation and interference in the work of lawyers and members of the judiciary dealing with cases of persons detained for exercising their rights to freedom of association, expression, peaceful assembly and belief;

6.expresses its concern over the new political party reform which could end the multi-party system;

7.instructs its President to translate this resolution into Arabic and forward it to Algeria’s Parliament and Government.