MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 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

Pedro Marques, Matjaž Nemec, Margarida Marques
on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0242/2023

B9‑0243/2023

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

(2023/2661(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-   having regard to its previous resolutions on Algeria,

- having regard to the EU-Algeria Association Agreement and notably its Article 2,

- having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. Whereas Ihsane el-Kadi, a prominent Algerian journalist and administrator of one of the last independent media enterprises in Algeria including Radio M and the Maghreb Emergent news website, was arrested on 23 December 2022 based on charges of “receiving funds for political propaganda” and “harming the national security of the state” and convicted on 2 April 2023 to five years in prison, of which two suspended, to the dissolution of his media company, the confiscation of its assets and a fine of 10 million Algerian dinars; whereas the hearing of his appeal will take place on 21 May 2023;

 

B. Whereas the Algerian Constitution in its Article 54 explicitly guarantees the freedom of the press and stipulates that press offenses cannot be punished by a custodial sentence; whereas the rights to freedom of expression and media should also benefit to foreign media in Algeria;

 

C. Whereas other peaceful activists such as Slimane Bouhafs, Raouf Farah or journalists Moustapha Bendjama, Djamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha  are in detention and on trial facing judicial harassment following the exercise of their rights;

 

1. Condemns the arbitrary, continued, and unlawful arrests, detentions and judicial harassment of journalists; calls on the Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ihsane El-Kadi and all those arbitrarily detained and charged for exercising their right to freedom of expression, both online and offline; urges the Algerian authorities to quash Ihsane El-Kadi and others’ conviction;

2. Urges the Algerian authorities to end the targeted crackdown and censorship of independent media and journalists in Algeria, through vague provisions of the Penal Code, and to end the dissolution of civil society organisations;

3. Calls on the Algerian authorities to unblock media outlets and to put a stop to the arrest and detention of journalists and anyone who expresses a dissenting view or criticism of the government;

4. Reiterates that the freedom of expression and media freedom are a fundamental right as enshrined in the Algerian Constitution; calls on the Algerian authorities to abide by their national and international commitments and more particularly by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Algeria has signed and ratified; deplores that the Algerian authorities have refused to amend, after Algeria’s recent Universal Permanent Review, the Penal Code provisions that restrict freedom of expression and contradict article 19 of the ICCPR;

5. Condemns the use of pre-trial detention in Algeria to target journalists as well as human rights defenders, peaceful Hirak activists, and trade unionists for exercising their freedom of expression and other rights; recalls that respect for human rights and participation of civil society are essential elements of the EU-Algeria Partnership;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the HRVP, the Council, the Commission and the Government of Algeria.