Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, are urging Algerian authorities to revise a draft bill that would further restrict the right to freedom of association. The proposed legislation would grant the government excessive authority over civil‑society groups, imposing arbitrary limits on their purpose and activities and requiring prior government permission to operate. It would also give the Interior Ministry sweeping powers over the creation, functioning, financing, and overall control of associations.
The groups warn that the draft bill would undermine the freedom of association guaranteed by the Algerian Constitution and international human‑rights law. They call on authorities to shelve the bill and adopt a new law that complies with international standards. The current 2012 law is already criticized for its broad, vague provisions, which have been used to ban public and political gatherings, target human‑rights defenders, and dissolve prominent organizations. The draft would retain many of these restrictive elements, such as the requirement for prior government approval, while adding new constraints, including a mandate that associations respect “national values” and a prohibition on maintaining relationships with political parties or receiving their financial assistance.
Human‑rights advocates urge Algerian authorities to seize this moment to enact legislation that allows civil‑society groups to operate freely, without undue restriction or fear of reprisals. They recommend revising the draft in consultation with civil society to eliminate restrictive provisions and ensure compliance with international norms on freedom of association. This fundamental right is essential for a democratic society; any limitations must be prescribed by law, necessary, proportionate, non‑discriminatory, and the least restrictive means possible, reflecting basic values of pluralism and tolerance. The authorities have a responsibility to respect, protect, and promote this right.
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