(credit: twitter.com) /  Algerian  journalist Khaled Drareni is a symbol of press freedom in  Algeria. His harassment by the Algerian authorities and his sentencing to two years in prison is emblematic of the heightened repression in the North African nation, Human Rights organizations say. 

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The European Parliament adopted an urgency resolution highlighting “The deteriorating human rights situation in Algeria, in particular the case of journalist Khaled Drareni,” who was sentenced to two years in prison on 15 September 2020.   Drareni was convicted after reporting on the anti-government Hirak protest movement, which forced the removal of the country’s longtime ruler, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, last year.  The journalist was convicted by a court in Algiers for “inciting an unarmed gathering” and “endangering national unity.” Critics say the charges were trumped up to silence critical news reporting about the repressive Algerian government.  Condemning the escalation of arbitrary arrests and detentions, the European Parliament resolution calls on the authorities “to immediately and unconditionally release Mohamed Khaled Drareni and all those detained and charged for exercising their right to freedom of expression, both online and offline, and to freedom of assembly and association, including Yacine Mebarki, Abdallah Benaoum, Mohamed Tadjadit, Abdelhamid Amine, Abdelkrim Zeghileche, Walid Kechida, Brahim Laalami, Aissa Chouha, Zoheir Kaddam, Walid Nekkiche, Nourredine Khimoud, Hakim Addad.”  The EU issues a statement this week:

“The respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, is an important element of EU-Algeria relations. These relations are governed by the Association Agreement and further reinforced in the Partnership Priorities.  The EU has an interest in a strong and strategic cooperation with Algeria and is trying to reinforce the bilateral partnership. In a sustained confidence building approach, the EU stands ready to support the reforms that the Algerian authorities will want to undertake, keeping in mind that the ultimate objective is to respond to the legitimate expectations of the Algerian people.”

-European Union

The adopted text recalls the EP’s urgency resolution from 28 November 2019 on the situation of civic freedoms in Algeria, and expresses solidarity with “all Algerian citizens – women and men, from diverse geographic, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds – who have been peacefully demonstrating since February 2019”. It highlights that “in 2020 women’s rights movements have intensified in their denunciation of the increasing violence against women” and have called for “the review of existing laws in order to guarantee full equality.”