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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)
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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.

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Lebanese Parties Warn Against Hezbollah Keeping Light Weapons

Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
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Lebanese Parties Warn Against Hezbollah Keeping Light Weapons

Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)

A recent proposal circulating in Lebanon that would allow Hezbollah to retain its light weapons while surrendering heavy and medium arms has triggered widespread political backlash, with critics warning it poses a grave threat to state sovereignty and public safety.

The suggestion, floated amid long-running debate over the group’s arsenal, argues that other political parties and armed groups also possess light weapons for various reasons. But key political factions have rejected the idea outright, citing Lebanon’s bloody past and the potential for renewed violence.

Opponents of the proposal have pointed to the events of May 7, 2008, when Hezbollah fighters overran parts of Beirut and Mount Lebanon in a show of military force, underscoring the dangers of allowing any non-state group to keep arms.

“Classifying weapons as heavy, medium or light is useless,” said Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel in a post on X. “If heavy arms threaten Lebanon’s regional security, light weapons are even more dangerous to the foundations of the state.”

Gemayel reiterated that only the Lebanese army and legitimate security forces should bear arms, calling for the country to be entirely free of weapons held by non-state actors.

MP Ghada Ayoub, of the Lebanese Forces-led "Strong Republic" bloc, echoed that view, insisting the state must assert full sovereignty over all Lebanese territory and outlaw any form of armed presence outside the official security apparatus.

“There is only one armed group operating outside the state, and that is Hezbollah,” Ayoub told Asharq al-Awsat. “It must become a purely political party and clearly, unequivocally declare an end to its military activity.”

Ayoub also criticized recent remarks by Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, who vowed the group’s “resistance” would continue “without asking anyone’s permission.”

“The Lebanese state is responsible for enforcing a monopoly on the use of arms,” she said. “It must stop playing the role of a mediator or hiding behind the fear of war and internal strife. Time is not on Lebanon’s side.”

Ahmad Al-Kheir, a lawmaker with the “National Moderation” bloc, dismissed the proposal as “stillborn,” warning that light weapons have already been used to intimidate citizens and skew political dynamics.

“We saw yesterday how light arms were paraded through Beirut’s streets in a blatant attempt at provocation and coercion,” he said. “This is the real danger - using these weapons as leverage in political life, as we saw in the May 7 events and the occupation of downtown Beirut.”

“No one in Lebanon will accept this,” Al-Kheir added.

Additionally, critics warn that allowing any non-state entity to retain weapons threatens state authority and risks further destabilizing the country.

Al-Kheir urged Hezbollah and any other party in possession of light weapons to hand them over to the state, citing the recent example set by former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Jumblatt.

“Jumblatt announced that his party had surrendered its weapons weeks ago. This is the model to follow,” he told Asharq al-Awsat.

MP Waddah Al-Sadek, of the Change Coalition, said he had no objection to a phased disarmament process that begins with heavy and medium weapons, followed by light arms. He dismissed fears of civil war, saying only one side is armed.

“Armed conflict requires two sides. The army will not engage in internal fighting,” he said. “This talk of civil war is just fear-mongering unless Hezbollah resorts again to something like the May 7 scenario to avoid disarming.”

Al-Sadek stressed that Lebanon’s response to the US proposal - reportedly outlining phased disarmament - will be critical. “Does anyone really have an alternative to engaging with this proposal?” he asked.

Deputy head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Naji Hayek, said all weapons must be handed over, rejecting the idea that civilians or political groups should be allowed to keep light arms for self-defense.

“This theory no longer holds,” Hayek told Asharq al-Awsat, adding that training camps used to militarize society should be shut down. “Light and medium weapons are not only with Hezbollah - they exist with other parties that have military structures, and these too must be dismantled.”

Political analyst Qassem Qassir, who is close to Hezbollah’s thinking, said there is no internal consensus, nor any agreement with Hezbollah, to give up its heavy and medium arms while retaining light weapons.

“The party insists the issue is still the Israeli occupation and ongoing aggression,” he said. “For Hezbollah, no discussion on disarmament is possible until those threats end.”

Qassir warned that if a political solution to the weapons issue is not reached, “we will inevitably face military risks and internal conflict.”

Jumblatt announced in late June that his party had handed over its remaining weapons, including light and medium arms that were gradually accumulated after the May 7 clashes in 2008 during a period of heightened tension with Hezbollah.

He said the weapons had been centrally stored and fully turned over to the Lebanese state.