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Item=787

ALGERIA
At A Glance Population8 /uly 9772 est. ,0P Per "apita ;PPP<8 9772 est. )uman 0e>elopment Index 'an?8 #(0P8 9772 5reedom )ouse 'ating8 9772 Political 'ig@ts "i>il +iberties 5reedom of t@e Press 'an?8 5reedom )ouse8 9772 "orruption Index 'an?8 $ransparency International8 9777 :984:78746 =78777 679 ;out of 677 countries< (ot 5ree 2 . 698 ;out of 64* countries< 44 ;out of 687 countries<

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3 UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3 STATE INSTITUTIONS/ SEPARATION OF POWERS.....................................................................4 STATE INSTITUTIONS/ SEPARATION OF POWERS.....................................................................4
! "#$I% &'A(") ..............................................................................................................................* + ,I-+A$I% &'A(") ............................................................................................................................. /#0I"IA'1 ..............................................................................................................................................2

REFORMS UNDER DISCUSSION.........................................................................................................7 RIGHTS......................................................................................................................................................9 RIGHTS......................................................................................................................................................9 P

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.................................................................................................................................................................4 + ,I-+A$I3( ' ,#+A$I(, $) ! '"I- 35 'I,)$-.........................................................................67 POLITICAL PARTY LAWS.................................................................................................................10 ELECTORAL LAW................................................................................................................................10 REFORMS UNDER DISCUSSION.......................................................................................................11
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

THE ALGERIAN CABINET PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL LAW ON JUNE 13 !007 THAT WOULD ADJUST THE RE"UIREMENTS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND INDEPENDENTS PARTICIPATING IN LOCAL AND LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS. IF ADOPTED BY THE PEOPLE#S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ONLY PARTIES RECEIVING MORE THAN 4$ OF THE VOTES IN ONE OF THE LAST THREE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS AND OVER ! 000 VOTES IN EACH OF TWENTY%FIVE PROVINCES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO PROPOSE SLATES. PARTIES WOULD ALSO "UALIFY IF THEY HAVE AT LEAST &00 ELECTED MEMBERS IN THE LOCAL OR NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES DISTRIBUTED ACROSS AT LEAST TWENTY%FIVE PROVINCES WITH NO FEWER THAN TWENTY ELECTED MEMBERS PER PROVINCE. FIRST%TIME PARTICIPANTS IN LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS WOULD NEED TO SECURE SIGNATURES FROM AT LEAST 400 REGISTERED ELECTORS FOR EACH SEAT CONTESTED' FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS THEY WOULD NEED THE SIGNATURES OF AT LEAST ($ OF REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE LOCAL DISTRICT. IF THE LAW IS PASSED ONLY NINE PARTIES)THE NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT *FLN+ THE NATIONAL RALLY FOR DEMOCRACY *RND+ THE MOVEMENT OF SOCIETY FOR PEACE *MSP+ THE WOR,ERS PARTY THE ALGERIAN NATIONAL FRONT THE MOVEMENT FOR NATIONAL REFORM *AL% ISLAH+ THE RALLY FOR CULTURE AND DEMOCRACY *RCD+ THE FRONT OF SOCIALIST FORCES AND THE ISLAMIC AL%NAHDA MOVEMENT)WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO FIELD CANDIDATES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER !007...................................................................................................................................11 LAW ON ASSOCIATIONS....................................................................................................................11 MEDIA LAWS.........................................................................................................................................11 PERSONAL STATUS LAW..................................................................................................................1! '
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POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................1( POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................1( P3+I$I"A+ PA'$I - ..............................................................................................................................6. "I%I+ -3"I $1.......................................................................................................................................6. ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................17 ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................17 CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION .........................................................................................................19 CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION .........................................................................................................19 CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................!0 CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................!0 RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................!1 RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................!1

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

Updates and Forthcoming Events

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

S-.-/ I01-2-3-2401/ S/5.6.-240 47 P48/61

Algeria is a peopleBs democratic republic. $@e 6442 "onstitution ; nglis@ $ext8 5renc@ $ext< >ests supreme executi>e power in t@e President of t@e 'epublic w@o Cexercises supreme magistracy wit@in t@e limits defined by t@e "onstitution.D

E9/:3-2;/ B6.0:<

$@e 56/12=/0- is t@e @ead of -tate andE F F F F F F F F F F F F F F Appoints and dismisses t@e Prime Ainister. Appoints members of t@e go>ernment c@osen by t@e Prime Ainister. Presides o>er t@e "ouncil of Ainisters. Appoints t@e *9 go>ernors ;walis< and magistrates Aay dissol>e t@e Parliament. Aay call for early legislati>e elections. Aay declare a state of emergency. Aay declare war and general mobiliGation. Aay rule by decree. Aay initiate re>ision of t@e "onstitution. "ommands t@e armed forces. Is responsible for national defense. 0ecides and conducts foreign policy. "an appro>e t@e go>ernmentBs annual budget by decree if it is reHected by t@e Parliament

$@e president is elected by popular >ote for a fi>eFyear term. "andidates can be nominated by t@e "onstitutional "ouncil8 eit@er by 277 local and national elected officials or by a popular petition of at least 7.8777 registered >oters. President &outefli?a was elected for a second term in April 977*. According to t@e "onstitution8 @e cannot run for president a t@ird time. $@e 562>/ >2021-/6E F F F Aay initiate legislation. -igns executi>e decrees. 0ecides and presents t@e go>ernmentBs program.

President AbdelaGiG &outefli?a appointed @is close ally and leader of t@e ruling (ational +iberation 5ront AbdelaGiG &el?@adem as prime minister on Aay 9.8 9772. 3bser>ers belie>e t@e appointment is a preparation for constitutional c@anges t@at will allow t@e president to run for a t@ird term in office. Alt@oug@ no
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

official reason was gi>en for former Prime Ainister A@med 3uya@iaBs resignation8 @e is ?nown to @a>e opposed a constitutional amendment. $@e "abinetE F F F Is appointed by t@e president8 based on t@e prime ministerBs recommendations. Is responsible before t@e parliament and t@e president. Aeets as C"ouncil of AinistersD in t@e presence of t@e president8 and as t@e C"ouncil of ,o>ernmentD in @is absence. In bot@ cases8 t@e cabinet can appro>e legislation.

Aembers of t@e go>ernment cannot be indicted. $@e military does not @a>e a formal statutory role in t@e country8 but it is still considered an influential player wit@ ties to t@e executi>e.

L/?21@.-2;/ B6.0:<

$@e 6442 "onstitution introduced a bicameral legislature consisting of t@e (ational Popular Assembly ;AssemblIe Populaire (ationale/ alFAaHlis alF-@abi alFJatani< ;AP(< and t@e (ational "ouncil ;"onseil de la (ation/ AaHlis al 3umma<. &ot@ c@ambers enHoy legislati>e and o>ersig@t functions. +egislation may be initiated by eit@er one of t@e parliamentary c@ambers or t@e @ead of go>ernment. Any law must be considered first by t@e AP( and t@en by t@e (ational "ouncil. $@e (ational Popular Assembly is t@e more influential of t@e two c@ambers. It @as :84 members8 wit@ eig@t seats reser>ed for Algerians residing abroad. $@e N.-240.@ P453@.6 A11/>A@BE F F F Is elected for fi>e years by proportional representation8 by listFbased constituencies. Is elected on t@e basis of uni>ersal suffrage for indi>iduals 68 years and older. "an be dissol>ed by t@e president after consultation wit@ t@e spea?ers of t@e AP( and (ational "ouncil8 and wit@ t@e prime minister. If t@e AP( is dissol>ed8 general elections must be @eld wit@in t@ree mont@s. Aay dissol>e t@e cabinet t@roug@ a twoFt@irds >ote of no confidence.

lections were last @eld on Aay 678 9777. (ext elections are sc@eduled for 9769. "lic? </6/ for a full list in Arabic of current APs. Algeria is one of t@e few countries t@at pro>ide legislati>e seats for citiGens li>ing abroadK eig@t seats represent t@e Algerian community abroad. $@e N.-240.@ C430:2@E F )as 6** members. $woFt@irds ;42< are elected by members of local assemblies and oneFt@ird ;*8< are appointed by t@e president to sixFyear term.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

F F

Aembers appointed by t@e president wor? as a single parliamentary group. Aust appro>e laws by a t@reeFfourt@s maHority >ote.

)alf t@e members of t@e (ational "ouncil are renewed e>ery t@ree years. lections were last @eld on 0ecember 988 9772. $@e next elections will be @eld in 9774<

J3=2:2.6B

$@e constitution formally protects t@e independence of t@e Hudiciary. )owe>er8 t@e president of t@e republic @as considerable control o>er t@e Hudiciary because @e is also t@e president of t@e )ig@ "ouncil of Aagistracy. ;$@e minister of Hustice is its >iceFpresident<. $@e Algerian Hudicial system is based on a ci>il law system wit@ codes adapted from t@e 5renc@ legal system. Personal status laws are based on Islamic law. J3=2:2.6B C430:2@1 F $@e )ig@ "ouncil of Aagistracy ;"onseil -uperieur de la Aagistrature< is t@e HudiciaryBs regulatory body. It @andles appointments8 careers of Hudges8 and disciplinary matters. It is @eaded by t@e President of t@e 'epublic ;Art.6.*F 6.7<. $@e "onstitutional "ouncil ;"onseil "onstitutionnel<8 establis@ed in 64848 @andles matters of constitutionality and Hudges t@e >alidity of elections and referenda. $@e "ouncil is composed of nine membersE t@ree appointed by t@e president8 two by eac@ parliamentary c@amber8 one by t@e -upreme "ourt and one by t@e -tate "ouncil. Its president is appointed for a six yearFterm and oneF @alf of t@e remaining members are replaced e>ery t@ree years. $@e president and t@e spea?ers of t@e two @ouses of parliament are allowed to consult t@e "onstitutional "ouncil ;Art. 62:F624<. $@e )ig@ Islamic "ouncil ;)aut "onseil IslamiLue< is a consultati>e body in t@e area of religious affairs ;Art. 676F679<. $@e )ig@ -ecurity "ouncil ;)aute "onseil de -ecurite< is a consultati>e body in t@e area of security affairs ;Art. 67:<.

F F

C436-1 L48/6 C436-1 F $@ere are 968 courts of first instance called t@e tribunal courts at t@e subF pro>ince le>el ;daira<. $ribunal courts @ear ci>il8 labor and commercial litigation and some criminal matters. $@ere are no separate -@aria courts for personal status cases.
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

C436-1 47 A55/.@ F 0aira courts are grouped wit@in eac@ pro>ince under t@e Hurisdiction of t@e pro>incial court ;wilaya<8 w@ic@ consists of panels of t@ree Hudges8 and t@ey @ear appeals from t@e tribunal courts. 5ortyFeig@t wilaya courts are organiGed regionally into four c@ambersE ci>il8 criminal8 administrati>e8 and accusation.

H2?< C436- ;"our -upreme< F $@e @ig@est court is t@e )ig@ "ourt8 w@ic@ is di>ided into 8 c@ambersE ci>il8 social8 commercial and maritime8 property8 criminal8 personal status8 and inHunctions.

C430:2@ 47 S-.-/ ;"onseil dB tat< F $@e "ouncil of -tate @as Hurisdiction o>er administrati>e cases. It was reestablis@ed in 6448 after its abolition in t@e 6427s. $@e "ouncil of -tate gi>es its opinion on draft laws before t@ey are examined by t@e cabinet. #nder t@e current constitution it can also settle electoral disputes and appeals8 w@ic@ were pre>iously settled by t@e "onstitutional "ouncil.

T62A30.@ 47 C407@2:-1 ;$ribunal des "onflits< F $@e $ribunal of "onflicts settles Hurisdictional disputes between t@e )ig@ "ourt and t@e "ouncil of -tate. It was establis@ed on 0ecember :78 977*.

O-</6 C436-1 F $@e )ig@ "ourt of -tate ;)aute "our de lB tat<8 introduced by t@e 6442 "onstitution8 is empowered to Hudge t@e president on @ig@ treason and t@e @ead of go>ernment for crimes and offences ;but not ot@er go>ernment members<. Aany senior officials @a>e been accused of corruption but not tried. An Accounts "ourt ;"our de "omptes< @as existed since 6474 and was strengt@ened in 644.. It @as gained a meaningful degree of independence from t@e presidency since its reform in 644.. -pecial courts for terrorist offences existed between 644: and 644.. $@ey were replaced by a "riminal "ourt t@at @ears cases related to terrorism and sub>ersion. J@en t@e state of emergency was declared in 64468 t@e Ailitary $ribunal courts assumed Hudicial functions beyond merely ruling o>er military offences. "urrently8 t@ey only deal wit@ disciplinary issues wit@in t@e military. $@ey are formally under t@e control of t@e -upreme "ourt.

F F F

R/746>1 U0=/6 D21:311240 F A process of Hudicial reform @as been underway since 977*. $@is includes re>ision of t@e penal code and penal proceduresK prison reformK re>iew of competences assigned to t@e )ig@ /udicial "ouncil and t@e Ainistry of /usticeK
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

and re>iew of t@e professional career structures of magistrates and Hudicial staff. F A range of administrati>e laws and t@e 647. "i>il "ode are being condensed into a new "ode of "i>il Procedure8 w@ic@ @as been under discussion since 3ctober 977*.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

R2?<-1

P/6140.@ L2A/6-2/1

$@e constitution protects t@e freedom of creed8 opinion8 expression and mo>ementK t@e freedom of association and public gat@eringK and t@e freedom to Hoin unions and establis@ political parties. 5undamental freedoms and rig@ts are not protected under organic laws8 w@ic@ ta?e precedence o>er standard legislation and reLuire a @ig@er ;twoFt@irds< maHority to amend. $@e 6449 mergency +aw imposes >arious limitations on t@e exercise of personal freedoms8 especially relating to t@e freedom of assembly and expression. )uman rig@t acti>ists @a>e been imprisoned in recent years. $@e use of torture @as not completely disappeared and prison conditions are subF standard. $@e deat@ of 677 prisoners in -er?adHi in 644* was ne>er properly in>estigated. $@e case of a Mabyle teenager s@ot deat@ in police Luarters in 9776 spar?ed t@e Mabyle protest mo>ement CAou>ement des arouc@.D 'eligious freedom8 despite some ad>ances8 is not complete. (onFAuslim religious practices in public are not allowed8 alt@oug@ tolerated in practice. Auslim women cannot marry nonFAuslim men under t@e 5amily "ode regulations. $@e 6422 Penal code pro>ides for t@e deat@ penalty. $@e "i>il "oncorde +aw ;+oi sur la concorde ci>ile< includes amnesty laws t@at benefit members of armed groups. $@e (ew 1or?Fbased organiGation )uman 'ig@ts Jatc@ pro>ides a compre@ensi>e o>er>iew of @uman rig@ts de>elopments in Algeria.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

L/?21@.-240 R/?3@.-20? -</ E9/6:21/ 47 R2?<-1

P4@2-2:.@ P.6-B L.81 F $@e Algerian "onstitution of 6442 guarantees t@e rig@t to establis@ political parties. Political parties cannot be founded on religious8 linguistic8 racial8 sexual8 corporatist or regional criteria8 and cannot engage in >iolence. $@e 6447 +aw on political parties states t@at political parties must refrain from using Islamic8 Arab8 and &erber identities for partisan purposes. Political parties must comply wit@ t@e principles of t@e 64.* re>olutionK reHect >iolenceK respect indi>idual and collecti>e freedomsK wor? towards consolidation of national unityK and ad@ere to political pluralism. Parties are also pro@ibited from @a>ing illegal contacts wit@ foreign entities ;Art. 7<8 from being dependent on trade unions or ci>ic associations ;Art. 8<8 and from recei>ing foreign funding ;Art. :6<. $@e Ainistry of Interior must appro>e all political parties and appeals may be directed to t@e -tate "ouncil. $@e Interior Ainistry can bring to trial any political party or its members for contra>ening t@e +aw on Political Parties. -anctions ;fines8 imprisonment8 or dissolution< are imposed by t@e courts and t@e parties can appeal to t@e -tate "ouncil. -ome political parties8 alt@oug@ apparently fulfilling t@e abo>e legal reLuirements8 are refused legal status. 3ne suc@ example is t@e Jafa party.

E@/:-46.@ L.8 F $@e 6447 lectoral +aw ;Arabic $ext8 5renc@ $ext< establis@ed a system of proportional representation under t@e C)areD formula8 w@ic@ tends to produce an o>erFrepresentation of larger parties. A party t@at recei>es as little as :7N of t@e popular >ote can obtain twoFt@irds of t@e seats in parliament. lection procedures were amended in 977* following a proposal by t@e Isla@ party. $@ese amendments strengt@ened control and super>ision mec@anisms8 especially t@ose allocated to political party officials. It also abolis@ed t@e special >oting college for Army officers. Alt@oug@ no pro>ision was made for international obser>ers8 some obser>ers were allowed towards t@e end of t@e 977* electoral campaign8 in time to o>ersee t@e >oting.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

R/746>1 U0=/6 D21:311240 F $@e Algerian cabinet proposed amendments to t@e electoral law on /une 6:8 9777 t@at would adHust t@e reLuirements for political parties and independents participating in local and legislati>e elections. If adopted by t@e PeopleOs (ational Assembly8 only parties recei>ing more t@an *N of t@e >otes in one of t@e last t@ree legislati>e elections and o>er 98777 >otes in eac@ of twentyFfi>e pro>inces would be eligible to propose slates. Parties would also Lualify if t@ey @a>e at least 277 elected members in t@e local or national assemblies8 distributed across at least twentyFfi>e pro>inces8 wit@ no fewer t@an twenty elected members per pro>ince. 5irstFtime participants in legislati>e elections would need to secure signatures from at least *77 registered electors for eac@ seat contestedK for local elections t@ey would need t@e signatures of at least .N of registered >oters in t@e local district. If t@e law is passed8 only nine partiesP t@e (ational +iberation 5ront ;5+(<8 t@e (ational 'ally for 0emocracy ;'(0<8 t@e Ao>ement of -ociety for Peace ;A-P<8 t@e Jor?ers Party8 t@e Algerian (ational 5ront8 t@e Ao>ement for (ational 'eform ;alF Isla@<8 t@e 'ally for "ulture and 0emocracy ;'"0<8 t@e 5ront of -ocialist 5orces8 and t@e Islamic alF(a@da Ao>ementPwould be eligible to field candidates in local elections sc@eduled for (o>ember 9777.

L.8 40 A114:2.-2401 F $@e 6447 +aw on Associations states t@at ci>il society groups ;associations or (,3s< must retain autonomy from political partiesK cannot federate wit@ foreign entitiesK and must publis@ principally in Arabic. +icenses are granted by t@e Ainistry of Interior. Associations can be dissol>ed by administrati>e courts. $@e 6447 +aw on +abor #nions ;5renc@ $ext< reLuires a license granted by t@e Ainistry of +abor in order to establis@ a trade union. -tate aut@orities @a>e failed to recogniGe unions ot@er t@an t@e ,eneral #nion of Algerian Jor?ers ;#,$A< as >alid partners in negotiations. 5or example8 t@e "omitI (ational de +ibertIs -yndicales ;"(+-<8 a grouping of unions operating in t@e fields of administration8 education and @ealt@8 was denied recognition.

F F

M/=2. L.81 F F $@e 6447 Press +aw specifies t@at freedom of speec@ must respect indi>idual dignity and t@e imperati>es of foreign policy and national defense. $@e Press +aw also set up a twel>eFmember )ig@ "ouncil of Information. ;-ix members were appointed by t@e president and t@e parliamentK t@e rest were c@osen by Hournalists<. $@e )ig@ "ouncil of Information8 toget@er wit@ Interior Ainistry and t@e (ational +ibrary8 licenses new publications after >etting se>eral issues. $@e go>ernment owns t@e official press agency AlgIrie Press -er>ice8 and numerous Arabic and 5renc@ newspapers8 suc@ as alFAouHa@id/alF-@aBab8
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

)oriGons and alFAassa. It also controls t@e -tate owned tele>ision ; ($%< and t@e 'adiodifussion AlgIrienne8 as well as most radio stations. -ome independent newspapers were set up in t@e early 6447s w@en Hournalists were encouraged by t@e state to set up new publications wit@ t@e assistance of public funds. In 644*8 t@e go>ernment issued a decree stipulating t@at independent newspapers could only print securityFrelated information based on official go>ernment bulletins. $@e re>ision of t@e Penal "ode in 9776 added se>ere sanctions for Hournalists and newspapers ranging from suspension of duties to @ea>y fines ;.778777 Algerian dinars<8 and 9*Fmont@ prison terms for defamation or insult of go>ernment figures8 ci>il ser>ants8 Hudges8 and military officers. /ournalists can be tried for offending t@e )ead of -tate ;up to 69 mont@s and 9.78777 0A<8 Islam ;up to fi>e years and 6778777 0A< and ot@er religions ;up to t@ree years and .78777 0A<. $@e Press +aw also states t@at Hournalists can be imprisoned for up to ten years for endangering state security and national unity. Aembers of t@e media watc@dog group International 5reedom of xpression xc@ange ;I5 !< criticiGed Algerian aut@orities for using t@e criminal code to Hail Hournalists w@o report critically on t@e go>ernment and t@e military. 5or more information8 clic? </6/. 0espite penal legislation against defamation8 Hournalists @a>e continued to criticiGe t@e go>ernment and t@e presidency8 and indeed did so especially in t@e run up to t@e 977* presidential elections. $@is @as resulted in t@e se>ere application of sanctions against se>eral Hournalists and newspapers. Ao@amed &enc@icou ;editor<8 @is newspaper ;Le Matin<8 and )afnaoui ,@oul ;Hournalist for el-Djazair Ne s and @uman rig@t acti>ist< @a>e been arrested and suspended. In an unprecedented mo>e8 &outefli?a announced on Aay :8 9772 a pardon for Hournalists sentenced to prison for Cgross insult to state officials8 offending t@e president of t@e republic8 inHuring state institutions8 defamation8 and insult.D $@e pardon only applies to Hournalists w@o @a>e been definiti>ely con>icted after appeal8 and not to t@ose w@ose appeals are still pending. &enc@icou was released on /une 6*8 9772 after ser>ing two years in prison on c@arges of >iolating currency regulations. $@e c@arges were >iewed by @uman rig@ts groups as retaliation for @is newspaperBs critical editorial line. According to t@e annual Jorldwide Press 5reedom Index by 'eporters wit@out &orders8 Algeria ran?s 69: of 624 countries. $@e index runs from 6 ;most press freedom< to 624 ;least press freedom<.

P/6140.@ S-.-31 L.8 F

$@e 5amily +aw adopted in 648* was a conser>ati>e text8 e>en relati>e to t@e pro>isions of ot@er Arab states. President &outefli?a @as pus@ed for reform of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace &undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * el 69
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

t@e 5amily +aw8 despite opposition from wit@in t@e establis@ment and by Islamists. A presidential CordonnanceD was appro>ed by Parliament in late Aarc@ 977.. It ens@rines reforms t@at gi>e women eLual rig@ts to di>orce8 and eLual rig@ts and duties in marriageK reLuire t@e @usband to obtain permission from a Hudge to marry a second wifeK and allow women to marry wit@out permission. It fails to abolis@ t@e figure of wali8 or tutor8 t@e reform pac?age reLuires t@e presence of a wali in marriage but allows women o>er 64 to c@oose w@o t@e wali will be. R/:/0- G4;/60>/0- I02-2.-2;/1 A77/:-20? R2?<-1 . Algerian President AbdelaGiG &outefli?a organiGed a referendum on -eptember 948 9772 on t@e C0raft "@arter for Peace and (ational 'econciliationD ;5renc@ $ext<8 an amnesty law t@at grants exemption from prosecution to any member of an armed group8 stateFarmed militia8 or t@e security forces for crimes committed in t@e conflict t@at began in 6449. $@e c@arter denies state responsibility for CdisappearancesD and claims t@at any wrongful acts committed by state agents @a>e already been punis@ed8 but promises families of t@e disappeared compensation and recognition as C>ictims of t@e national tragedy.D $@e c@arter was appro>ed by 47.:2N of t@e >ote wit@ a 74.72N >oter turnout8 results unprecedented since AlgeriaOs referendum for independence in 6429. "lic? </6/ for a detailed analysis of t@e c@arter by )uman 'ig@ts Jatc@.

$@e Algerian go>ernment announced on Aarc@ 68 9772 t@at it would release approximately 98277 Islamists detained during AlgeriaOs 6447s conflict. As part of t@is initiati>e8 Algerian aut@orities released 6.7 prisoners on Aarc@ * and t@e deputyFc@airman of t@e banned Islamic 5ront for -al>ation ;5I-< Ali &el@adH on Aarc@ 2. &el@adH was arrested in /uly 977. on c@arges of encouraging terrorismK @e @ad pre>iously ser>ed a twel>eFyear term wit@ 5I- c@airman Abbasi Aadani. $@e releases come after t@e Algerian go>ernment appro>ed on 5ebruary 96 t@e implementation of t@e pro>isions in t@e (ational Peace and 'econciliation "@arter. In -eptember 977:8 President &outefli?a created a commission to in>estigate t@e cases of disappearance in Algeria. $@e commission pro>ided information to nearly 9777 families and recommended financial compensation. Ailitary aut@orities claim to @a>e sanctioned *77 officials found guilty of abuses. )owe>er8 t@ere are still t@ousands of unresol>ed cases and little e>idence of proper trials of t@e alleged perpetrators. )uman rig@ts organiGations @a>e criticiGed go>ernment officials for denying most allegations on t@e basis of t@e absence of formal complaints. $@ere are reports of relati>es of prisoners @a>ing been pressured not to file complaints. $@e new nationality code @as eliminated most discrimination against women. Jomen will now be able to pass on nationality rig@ts to t@eir c@ildren and @usbands on an eLual basis to men. A Ainistry of )uman 'ig@ts existed briefly between 6446 and 6449. -ubseLuently8 a (ational 3bser>atory on )uman 'ig@ts ;3(0)< was establis@ed. In Aarc@ 97768 following years of criticism8 t@e 3(0) was dissol>ed by President
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

AbdelaGiG &outefli?a and replaced wit@ t@e (ational "onsultati>e "ommission for t@e Promotion and Protection of )uman 'ig@ts.

$@e C)aut "onseil de lBAmaGig@itI8D establis@ed in 644.8 is tas?ed wit@ super>ising t@e teac@ing of t@e &erber language in sc@ools and its use in mass media. Aembers are appointed by t@e president and report eit@er to t@e president or t@e cabinet8 not to t@e parliament. "onstitutional re>ision made t@e &erber language ;?nown in Algeria as AmaGig@< a national language in 9779.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

P4@2-2:.@ F46:/1

P4@2-2:.@ P.6-2/1

$wentyFtwo political parties are represented in t@e (ational Assembly. $@ey includeE F $@e ruling alliance is composed of t@e (ational +iberation 5ront ;5+(< and t@e 0emocratic (ational 'ally ;'(0<8 and t@e Islamist party Ao>ement of -ociety for Peace ;)ara?at AouHtama alF-ilm<. $oget@er8 t@e parties won 9*4 of :84 seats in t@e Aay 678 9777 legislati>e elections. $@e opposition party wit@ t@e most seats ;92 of :84< was t@e Jor?ers PartyB ;Parti des $ra>ailleurs8 )iGb alF#mmal<. $@e 'ally for "ulture and 0emocracy ;'"0< gained 64 seats in t@e election. It boycotted t@e 9779 elections. Its principal power base is in Mabyle ;a &erber region<. 3t@er parties wit@ seats in parliament includeE t@e (ational Algerian 5ront ;5(A8 nationalist<K Algerian 'enewal Party ;P'A8 rig@t wing<8 and (ational ntente Ao>ement ;A (8 nationalist<K t@e (ational 'eno>ation Ao>ement ;or alFIsla@8 Islamist<K and alF(a@da Ao>ement ;Islamist<.

F F

$@ere @as been some discussion of reFlegaliGing t@e Islamic -al>ation 5ront ;5I-< after its leaders Abbasi Aadani and Ali &el@adH completed t@eir 69 year prison terms in 977*. $@e idea8 sometimes e>o?ed by President &outefli?a8 seems increasingly unli?ely.

C2;2@ S4:2/-B

$@ere were 67** national nonFgo>ernmental organiGations in Algeria in 97778 according to t@e #nion of International Associations ;#IA<. 3fficial sources list o>er 778777 associations including bot@ local and national entities. #nionsE ,eneral #nion of Algerian Jor?ers ;#,$A<Pcomposed of national unions specialiGed by sector<. Autonomous unionsE Air Algeria Pilots ;-P+A<K professors ;"( -<8 (ational -yndicate of Public Administration Personnel ;-(APAP<8 teac@ers ;"A(AP -$8 "+A and -A$ 5<. $rade AssociationsE $@e Algerian "onfederation of &usinessmen ;"AP<K t@e ,eneral "onfederation of t@e Algerian conomic 3perators ;#, A<. (ational "ouncil of -yndicate +iberties ;"(+-<Pan umbrella group for nine autonomous unions w@ic@ defend labor liberties. 6.

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$@e #,$A @as become @ea>ily politiciGed. It is accused of acting in t@e interest of t@e regime and of collaborating wit@ t@e Algerian go>ernment in order to undermine union pluralism. $@e go>ernment refuses to engage wit@ autonomous unions. (umerous autonomous unions @a>e denounced acts of @arassment and repression. $@e -(APAP @as since 9776 repeatedly filed complaints against t@e Algerian go>ernment at t@e International +abor 3rganiGation. A 9779 report by t@e International 5ederation of )uman 'ig@ts ;5I0)< @ig@lig@ts instances of t@e >iolation of union freedoms. Political pressure groupsE t@e &erber "ultural Ao>ement ;A"&<8 and se>eral ;ri>al< womenBs groups. $@ere are two independent @uman rig@ts groupsE t@e Algerian +eague for t@e 0efense of )uman 'ig@ts ;+A00)<8 and t@e Algerian +eague for @uman rig@ts ;+A0)<. Algerian @uman rig@ts organiGations @a>e been repeatedly @arassed and se>eral of t@eir members @a>e been imprisoned. Islamic brot@er@oods ;Gawyias< and tribes are important local actors in t@e interior of t@e country. $@e (ational Association of Qawyias8 for instance8 @as gi>en its support to President &outefli?a in se>eral electoral processes. $ribes occasionally play political roles8 as is t@e case of t@e Mabyle Protest Ao>ement.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

E@/:-240 R/13@-1

'esults for Presidential elections8 @eld on April 88 977* N.>/ 47 C.0=2=.-/ AbdelaGiG &outefli?a Ali &enflis Abdalla@ 0Haballa@ -aid -adi +ouiGa )anoune 5awGi 'ebaine F P.6-B 0emocratic (ational 'ally ;'(0< (ational +iberation 5ront ;5+(< Al Isla@ 'ally for "ulture and 0emocracy Jor?ers Party A@d .* $ 47 5453@.6 ;4-/ 8..7 2.* ..7 6.4 6.7 7.2

-ome candidates8 suc@ as A@med $aleb Ibra@imi and -id A@med ,oGali8 eit@er wit@drew or were banned from t@e electoral race by t@e lectoral "ommission on c@arges of not presenting t@e reLuired number of >alid signatures. 3pposition candidates accused t@e go>ernment of fraud8 but international obser>ers disco>ered no e>idence of irregularities. $@ere were only 6:7 obser>ers.

'esults for Parliamentary elections ;AP(<8 @eld on Aay 678 9777E P.6-B 5+( '(0 A-P Independents Jor?ers Party '"0 5(A (a@da AlFIsla@ F F F $ 47 5453@.6 ;4-/ :*.42 6..28 6:.:7 8.*8 2.28 *.88 :.:* 6.94 7.:: S/.-1 840 6:2 26 .9 :: 92 64 6: . :

Click </6/ for detailed results in French. %oter $urnoutE :.N. 3pposition accused t@e go>ernment of bloc?ing t@e main opposition party8 alF Isla@8 from contesting t@e poll. Interior Ainister (oureddine Qer@ouni stated t@at Abdulla@ 0Haballa@ was no longer t@e partyOs aut@oriGed leader because @e @ad not @eld a party congress as reLuired by law. 0Haballa@ announced @is party would boycott t@e elections8 but a small faction of alFIsla@ t@at contests 0Haballa@Os leaders@ip participated. AlFIsla@ won only t@ree seats in t@e elections8 down from fortyFt@ree seats in t@e 9779 elections.
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

F F

Approximately 6.N of t@e 2.2 million ballots were >oid. -aOid &ouc@air8 t@e @ead of t@e Independent (ational Political "ommission of lection -ur>eillance8 initially reported t@at ballot boxes in t@e Algiers 0istrict and t@e sout@ern city of alF3ued were being stuffed wit@ 5+( ballots8 and t@at obser>ers were being pre>ented from attending. )e later retracted @is statement and apologiGed. $@e "onstitutional "ouncil reHected appeals regarding t@e election on Aay :78 9777.

'esults for t@e +ocal lections8 @eld on (o>ember 948 9777 P.6-B 5+( '(0 5(A A-P Jor?ers Party '"0 55Independents (a@da $ 47 1/.-1 :7.. 9*.. 66.: 67.7 2.8. *.:. *.7. :.88 6..7

'esults for +ocal lections ;AP" and APJ<8 @eld on 3ctober 678 9779 P.6-B 5+( '(0 Isla@ A-P Independents 55P'A A@d .* F F $ 47 5453@.6 ;4-/ :..98 96.9 4.: 7.* 2.. ..6: 9.: 6...

$@e elections were boycotted by t@e 'ally for "ulture and 0emocracy. In Mabylia8 >oter turnout was generally >ery low in 9779 due to a boycott by t@e Arouc@ Ao>ement. In early 977.8 t@e 3uya@ia go>ernment announced t@e dissolution of all municipal councils and t@e organiGation of elections in t@e region. $@e 55- reHected t@e dissolution and t@reatened t@e go>ernment wit@ t@e prospect of large mobiliGations.

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Constitutional Revision

$@e president and t@e parliament @a>e t@e rig@t to initiate amendments to t@e constitution. A parliamentary initiati>e reLuires a t@ree Luarters maHority of t@e members of t@e two c@ambers sitting in a Hoint session at t@e reLuest of t@e -pea?er of t@e (ational "ouncil. Amendments must be adopted by bot@ c@ambers according to t@e procedure used for any ot@er law8 and t@en submitted to a referendum wit@in .7 days. If t@e "onstitutional "ouncil agrees8 t@e amendment does not @a>e to be submitted to a referendum. Amendments cannot abrogate t@e republican nature of t@e state8 t@e multiparty system8 national identity ;state religion and official language<8 fundamental rig@ts and liberties8 or territorial integrity. -ince 642:8 Algeria @as freLuently amended its constitution8 and e>en written new ones. $@e 642: constitution was abolis@ed in 642. after a coup dBetat. In 64728 t@e national "@arter and a new constitution were drafted and appro>ed by national referenda. $@e new constitution asserted a commitment to socialism and declared t@e 5+( t@e sole legitimate political party. Amendments in 6484 ended t@e commitment to socialism and t@e 5+(Bs monopoly8 but consolidated t@e powers of t@e president. $@e 6484 "onstitution was suspended in 6449 and amended in 6442. A referendum on constitutional amendments is planned for 9778. Proposed amendments are expected to extend t@e presidential term from fi>e years to se>en years8 abrogate t@e twoFterm limit8 and introduce t@e position of >ice president.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

Corruption

$ransparency InternationalBs "orruption Perception Index 9777 ran?s Algeria 44t@ out of 687 countries. $@e Algerian go>ernment declared t@e fig@t against corruption an official goal in its 977* program. In order to adapt t@e Algerian legislati>e and Hudicial systems to t@e ratified International "on>ention against "orruption8 President &outefli?a set up in (o>ember 977* a wor?ing group composed of ministry officials8 t@e magistrates of t@e -upreme "ourt and t@e -tate "ouncil as well as t@e general prosecutors to t@e courts. It recommended a national strategy against money laundering and ot@er financial crimes. "apital flig@t in Algeria between 6477 and 9779 was estimated at =:.8:.4.: million ;in 644. #- =< by Almounsor. $@e @ydrocarbons giant -3(A$'A") and t@e Army enHoy generous pro>isions relating to t@e granting of loans and credit. "onsiderable parts of t@eir operations are neit@er discussed in Parliament nor c@anneled openly t@roug@ t@e national budget. "oncessions for a number of prominent import companies @a>e not followed regular procedures.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Algeria

Ratification of International Conventions

International "o>enant on "i>il and Political 'ig@ts ;""P'< on -eptember 698 6484 International "o>enant on conomic8 -ocial and "ultural 'ig@ts ;" -"'< on -eptember 698 6484 $@e "on>ention on t@e limination of All 5orms of $orture and 3t@er "ruel8 In@uman or 0egrading $reatment or Punis@ment ;"A$< on -eptember 698 6484 $@e International "on>ention on t@e limination of All 5orms of 'acial 0iscrimination ;" '0< on 5ebruary 6*8 6479 $@e "on>ention of on t@e limination of All 5orms of 0iscrimination against Jomen ;" 0AJ< on Aay 998 6442 $@e "on>ention on t@e 'ig@ts of t@e "@ild ;"'"< on April 628 644: and also t@e con>entions on trade union freedom of association and collecti>e bargaining ;bot@ in 6429<

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