Faced with this situation, many MEPs from different groups in the European Parliament have repeatedly called on the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen.
The repetitive, systematic and stubborn nature of Algerian actions requires, according to them, “urgent and firm” intervention by the European Union, as the provisions of the EU-Algeria association agreement, signed in April 2002 and which came into force in September 2005, are widely flouted.
They cite, as an example, Article 2 of the agreement which states that “respect for democratic principles and fundamental human rights established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights inspire the national and international policies of the Parties and constitute an essential element of the agreement.”
The MEPs are protesting, among other things, against the situation of at least 266 activists from the Hirak movement, who “are still languishing in Algerian jails solely for having exercised their right to freedom of expression”.
In a letter recently addressed to the head of European diplomacy, MEPs noted that the Algerian authorities “violently repressed the demonstrations of the Hirak movement”.
Several activists and journalists have been arrested “arbitrarily” for peacefully expressing their opinions. Some arrests have resulted in long prison sentences based on the “ambiguous” provisions of the Algerian penal code, the MEPs stressed, also citing numerous cases of torture in detention.
Respect for the principles of the rule of law, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and women’s rights must be “a cornerstone of the EU’s external action”, they insisted.
In the European Parliament, the belligerent actions of Algiers, in a context of war in Europe, also arouse “deep concern”.
The MEPs denounce in particular the Algerian regime’s “crazy” arms race and its “double standards”.
In a letter sent this week to Josep Borrell and Ursula Von Der Leyen, MEPs say they are “deeply concerned by recent reports of ever-increasing links between Russia and Algeria, a situation that is reflected in political, logistical and financial support”.
Denouncing Algiers’ alignment with Russia, the deputies underline that “Algeria is one of the top four buyers of Russian arms worldwide, culminating in an arms deal worth more than 7 billion euros in 2021.”
By following this path, Algeria is, once again, violating a fundamental pillar of the association agreement, they believe, calling on the European institutions to act “quickly and firmly”.
It is essential that the EU explores the necessary actions to ensure that those with whom the Union has concluded association agreements do not attempt to finance war, the letter notes, calling on European officials to “urge Algeria to sign and ratify the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, which regulates the international trade in conventional arms, setting the highest international standards in this area.”
According to MEPs, the EU must send a clear message to Algeria and no longer tolerate such actions.
2024-08-08 02:00:53