Joint statement on the escalated harassment and threats faced by lawyers in Algeria

Lawyers for Lawyers, SHOAA for Human Rights and the Law Society of England and Wales have issued a joing statement expressing their grave concern regarding the escalation of prosecutions against lawyers for their work defending people involved in the Hirak movement in Algeria.

Following 2019 and the first wave of arrests of peaceful Hirak demonstrators, lawyers in Algeria have formed “The Collective for the Defense of Hirak Detainees”. However, these lawyers have since faced arbitrary arrests, detentions and prosecutions due to their human rights work. Such persecutions have been facilitated by the introduction of several legal measures that criminalise the legitimate work of lawyers and human rights activists.

This series of events underscores the challenges faced by lawyers in Algeria as they discharge their professional duties and exercise their freedom of expression, it highlights the critical importance of upholding the principles outlined in the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

Following the initial wave of arrests of peaceful Hirak demonstrators in 2019, lawyers formed “The Collective for the Defense of Hirak Detainees” to provide legal assistance to those arbitrarily arrested, detained, and prosecuted. However, these lawyers have faced escalating harassment from authorities, ranging from surveillance and obstruction to criminal prosecutions, arbitrary arrests, and imprisonment. This harassment has severely impacted their ability to serve the public and discuss human rights issues openly, leading to a significant reduction in the number of lawyers involved in defending human rights.

Several lawyers have faced prosecution and imprisonment due to their involvement in the Collective and their legitimate work advocating for fair trials and human rights.

Sources

Joint statement on the escalated harassment and threats faced by lawyers in Algeria

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