Algeria’s Union: Pressures and Outside Interference Affect Judges’ Duties

Judges and prosecutors take part in a protest to demand the independence of the judiciary in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)
Judges and prosecutors take part in a protest to demand the independence of the judiciary in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)
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Algeria’s Union: Pressures and Outside Interference Affect Judges’ Duties

Judges and prosecutors take part in a protest to demand the independence of the judiciary in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)
Judges and prosecutors take part in a protest to demand the independence of the judiciary in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)

Algeria's National Union of Judges said that thousands of its members are being pressured and abused, that negatively affecting their duties and the integrity of their rulings.

The Union issued a statement expressing strong dissatisfaction in excluding it from the government’s drafting process of the recent amendments to the criminal law, which stipulated tougher penalties against false news promoters.

The statement also addressed recent injustice and arbitrariness against the “best people of this country", a hint at influential bodies interfering with the work of the judges regarding major cases submitted for adjudication. Some judges were even punished for refusing to yield to political pressures.

The Union criticized the ongoing imprisonment of two judges, saying it is "an act of retaliation" by the Justice Minister, Belkacem Zghemat, for the union’s October strike.

The minister accused one of the imprisoned judges of providing critical judicial information to an opposition figure in Europe, Amir Boukhors, however, the union declined such claims and assured the judge was innocent.

Authorities say Boukhors interfered in the affairs of the army, intelligence, and senior officials in the country.

The statement also addressed the controversial issue of the criminal law, after authorities wanted to add new articles stipulating imprisonment for a period of up to 3 years against those spreading false news.

The amendment of the law came after several leaders questioned the validity of the figures the government is announcing on coronavirus cases and deaths.

The union said the articles of the law “are weak” and did not clearly specify what constitutes false news. It considered the law a blatant transgression of the principle of criminal legitimacy, which requires accurately identifying criminal acts to protect individual freedoms and rights.

In related news, several judges are facing charges of submitting to the dictations of the authorities in connection with the imprisonment of dozens of activists, politicians, and journalists, namely Karim Tabbou, Khaled Drareni, Samir Belarbi, and Suleiman Hamitouche.

In February 2019, judges supported the protests, however, they withdrew from the marches when former army chief, Ahmed Qaid Saleh, rejected the demand for comprehensive change for which the protesters were calling.

The Union demanded to change the Justice Minister in the new cabinet after the presidential elections last year, but President Abdelmadjid Tebboune kept him contrary to the expectations of the observers.

The Union also wanted to ensure the independence of the judiciary by removing the President and Justice Minister from the Supreme Judicial Council. This is supposed to be included in the constitution amendment before the end of this year.



UN Human Rights Office Concerned About Israeli Strikes on Civilians in Lebanon 

Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 5, 2024. (Reuters) 
Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 5, 2024. (Reuters) 
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UN Human Rights Office Concerned About Israeli Strikes on Civilians in Lebanon 

Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 5, 2024. (Reuters) 
Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 5, 2024. (Reuters) 

The United Nations human rights office is concerned about the protection of civilians in Lebanon as Israeli military operations have continued to kill civilians since the ceasefire.

"Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue to kill and injure civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure, raising concerns regarding the protection of civilians," the spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Thameen Al-Kheetan, told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday.

At least 71 civilians - including 14 women and nine children - have been killed by Israeli forces in Lebanon, since the ceasefire came into effect on 27 November last year, and 92,000 are still displaced, according to OHCHR.

"We are calling for investigations into all allegations of violations...Each and every military action where civilians are killed must be investigated," Al-Kheetan said.

"The ceasefire must hold and any escalation is a risk for stability in general in Lebanon, Israel and the whole region," he added.