MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane El-Kadi

9.5.2023 - (2023/2661(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Miguel Urbán Crespo
on behalf of The Left Group

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B9‑0239/2023

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane El-Kadi

(2023/2661(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

1. Whereas pre-trial detention is still used punitively in Algeria to target journalists, as well as human rights defenders, peaceful Hirak activists, and trade unionists exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly;

 

2. whereas on 2 April 2023, Algerian journalist Ihsane El-Kadi was sentenced to five years in prison, of which two suspended, and a fine of 700,000 Algerian dinars; whereas the Tribunal ordered the dissolution of his media company, and a fine of 10 million Algerian dinars; whereas according to his lawyer, the charges against him are unfounded and his fair trial rights were breaching; whereas a court hearing on his appeal is expected to be held from the second half of May 2023;

 

3. whereas the situation of press freedom has been seriously deteriorated in Algeria; whereas since October 2022, Algerian authorities have prosecuted five other journalists on vaguely-worded criminal charges; whereas there was an increase in blocked new sites and some publications critical of the government were financially strangled by the authorities; whereas journalist Mustapha Bendjama remains in provisional detention, whereas he has been interrogated more than 20 times in connection with his coverage of the Hirak protests;

 

1. Condemns Algeria’s crackdown on journalists and media and on civil society organizations and political parties connected to the “Hirak”; reaffirms the EP’s solidarity with Algerian citizens mobilizing peacefully since 2019 for democracy, the rule of law, social justice and gender equality; regrets that this is another example of the deterioration of freedom of expression and press freedom on a regional level;
2. Exhorts to end the repression, verbal threats, arbitrary arrests and detentions, legal proceedings, harassment and intimidation targeting human rights defenders, trade unionists, journalists and activists;
3. Urges the Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ihsane el Kadi and all those detained and charged for exercising freedom of expression, and freedoms of assembly and association, including peaceful activist Soulimane Bouhafs as well as journalist Moustapha Bendjama, and to drop the charges and cease judicial harassment against journalists  Djamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha;
4. Condemns the blocking of several online media outlets and the arbitrary dissolution or closure of civil society organizations and demands to allow them to reopen and exercise their rights;
5. Asks the authorities to amend the legal framework limiting freedom of expression and to bring it into conformity with international human rights standards;
6. Expresses its gratitude to the Algeria for their unconditional support to the Saharawi people, including political and humanitarian support, and underlines its importance for a solution for the Western Sahara in line with international law and the relevant UN resolutions;
7. Highlights the need for a new frame of relations between the EU and the Maghreb countries based on shared challenges, mutually beneficial agreements, human rights, and the principle of self-determination;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Member States, and the Algerian authorities.