The Algerian Appeals Court has come under fire for its decision to uphold the conviction of trade unionist Ali Mammeri, president of the National Union of Civil Servants in the Field of Culture and Arts (SNFC). The court ruled on Tuesday to reduce Mammeri’s sentence from 15 years to 10 years, a move that has drawn significant criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International.
Mammeri was arrested in March 2025 on charges of “glorification of terrorist acts” and “dissemination of classified information.” His arrest stemmed from Facebook posts supporting other jailed activists and communications with the International Labour Organization concerning workers’ rights. Critics argue that the charges are rooted in Algeria’s extensive “anti-terrorism” legislation, which has been accused of suppressing dissent and opposition.
Allegations of Torture and Unjust Treatment
According to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the laws under which Mammeri was charged are “overly broad and vague.” Following his detention, Mammeri was held without charge, and his family reported being denied information regarding his whereabouts. He claims that during his interrogation, he faced various forms of torture and was coerced into making a confession. Despite a formal complaint lodged by his family regarding these allegations, there has been no response from authorities.
Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, described the court’s decision as a “deeply unjust” affirmation of Mammeri’s conviction on what she termed baseless charges. She emphasized that the ruling represents a serious threat to peaceful dissent and independent union activities across Algeria.
International Obligations and Human Rights Standards
Algeria is a signatory to several international treaties aimed at protecting human rights, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Under these agreements, the country is obligated to uphold the rights enshrined within them and address any violations. The continued imprisonment of Mammeri, according to human rights advocates, contradicts these commitments and raises concerns about the state of civil liberties in Algeria.
As the situation evolves, many are watching closely to see how the Algerian government will respond to both domestic and international calls for reform in its approach to dissent and union activities. The case of Ali Mammeri serves as a critical focal point in the ongoing struggle for human rights in the region.
