Geneva – The Geneva Council for Rights and Liberties follows with interest the latest developments in Algeria and calls on the Algerian authorities to respond to the people’s desire for change and to respect their right to participate in the management of public affairs in their country, in compliance with Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Algeria is a party.
In the light of recent developments and of mixed reactions sparked by the peaceful protests entering their sixth week, the Geneva Council for Rights and Liberties expresses its concern about the uncertainty surrounding the political scene in Algeria and about the silence that has characterized the ruling authority attitude lately despite many voices demanding the departure of the outgoing president and of his entourage.
The Geneva Council believes that after the announcement by the National People’s Army Chief of the General Staff about the claim to activate Article 102 of the Algerian Constitution in order to declare the vacancy of the post of President of the Republic, the silence coming from the presidential palace reflects severe conflicts inside power circles that would negatively affect the political process in the country. The Council believes that reaching an agreement on a democratic transition of power that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms is the only way to ensure political stability and social progress in the country.
Since the peaceful and spontaneous protests started from clear and convincing principles and slogans that express the Algerian street demands, with basic rights being in the forefront of raised slogans, official authorities should respect these demands and achieve them in order to ensure the stability, the development and the prosperity of the society. Masses of citizens taking part in the protests against injustice and corruption, demanding freedom, dignity and social justice will not accept partial solutions or the continuity of the status quo. Therefore, it is necessary to build on the will of the people, correct the course, undertake serious economic reforms, achieve structural change at the level of political leaders, expand participation especially for representatives of civil society as well as for national competencies, and eventually adopt legislative measures that guarantee citizens full enjoyment of their rights.
The Geneva Council for Rights and liberties lauds the pacifism and the high level of awareness of the Algerian people since the beginning of the protests and calls on them to continue their peaceful movement so that they participate effectively in the consolidation of democracy and contribute to the development of Algeria.
The solution is a democratic transition of power that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms
