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Amnesty: Algeria Resorts to Terrorism-Related Charges to Prosecute Opposition Figures

A demonstration demanding freedom and justice in the center of the capital, Algiers (AFP)
A demonstration demanding freedom and justice in the center of the capital, Algiers (AFP)
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Amnesty: Algeria Resorts to Terrorism-Related Charges to Prosecute Opposition Figures

A demonstration demanding freedom and justice in the center of the capital, Algiers (AFP)
A demonstration demanding freedom and justice in the center of the capital, Algiers (AFP)

Algerian authorities are increasingly resorting to broadly worded terrorism-related charges to prosecute journalists, human rights defenders and political activists and to criminalize two political organizations by labelling them as “terrorists” in a new clampdown on dissent, Amnesty International said on Wednesday.

In June, the authorities amended the definition of “terrorism” to allow the prosecution of peaceful activists and critical voices, it noted on its website.

Journalists Hassan Bouras and Mohamed Mouloudj are the latest to be subjected to this alarming new trend, it said, adding that they both face potential prosecution for several charges.

These include their online publications criticizing the authorities and their affiliation with two organizations, the unregistered political opposition group, Rachad, and the group Movement for the Self-determination of the Kabylie (MAK).

Amnesty International called on the Algerian authorities to immediately release the journalists and drop these “unfounded” charges against them.

“It is abhorrent to see those seeking to exercise their right to freedom of expression prosecuted in such a systematic way,” it stressed.

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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.