Algeria: The dissolution of the LADDH indicates the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the country

Stockholm - Skyline International for Human Rights notes that the dissolution of the "Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH)" without the organization's knowledge is a serious indication of the low level of the human rights situation in the country, particularly with regard to freedom of expression.

In a statement released today (Thursday), Skyline says that "LADDH" has stated in a statement disseminated through various media and platforms that it "was surprised by the dissemination of a judicial decision on the Facebook platform demanding its dissolution based on a complaint filed by the Ministry of Interior, stressing that it was not informed of the judicial follow-up against it, and denies that any of its representatives took note of the decision.

Saeed Salehi, the deputy chairman of the league, stated on his Facebook account that "the judicial decision was issued on September 28, as stated in the distributed document". He pointed out that the officials of the federation "knew as well as the public that the federation was dissolved by a decision of the Administrative Court in the capital after a meeting on June 29, 2022, after the Ministry of Interior demanded the dissolution of the federation"

He added that the League "informs the public that it has not been informed of the existence of a lawsuit against it, nor of the date of the treatment of this lawsuit in court, nor has it received the decision of the court."

"Skyline" emphasizes that it followed the reasons of the court's ruling that justified the court's reliance on the dissolution of the "association", including the fact that it did not comply with the Law on Associations, as amended in 2012, and that it did not organize its General Assembly for a period of more than 5 years (in accordance with the provisions of the law). The ruling also points out that the LADDH carried out several activities, which it described as suspicious.

The ruling text disclosed: "The LADDH also issued inflammatory statements accusing the authority of suppressing the (Hirak Movement) marches in 2019 while adopting strict positions to impede the course of reforms to disturb public order and incite protest movements.

For its part, the LADDH stated that it had tried to commit to the new law, but that successive interior ministers during the reign of the late President Abdelaziz Bouteflika had prevented it, noting that "they nevertheless did not call for its dissolution"

"Skyline" stresses that the information it observed about the dissolution of the LADDH violates Algerian law, in particular the law on the formation of associations, and points out that the human rights situation in the country, in particular the right to freedom of opinion and expression, is characterized by repeated violations and attacks on demonstrations, which are justified by the low standard of living and the demand for the elimination of corruption in the government and official institutions.

Skyline concludes its statement by calling on the Algerian authorities, in particular the judicial authorities, to reverse the decision to dissolve the Human Rights Association and to ensure the protection of the institutions established in accordance with the law. It reiterates its call on the Algerian authorities to stop the ongoing violations of freedom of expression and opinion and to allow individuals and activists to exercise their right to freedom of expression without restriction or persecution.