CSW’s sources have confirmed that two Algerian
Christians have been convicted and fined for proselytising.
During a hearing which took place on 16 May 2018,
Noureddeine, a 30-year-old Christian man from the city of Tiaret, was found
guilty of proselytising and fined 100.000 Algerian Dinars (AD) and legal
expenses. The total amount due is approximately 200.000 AD (1000 Euros).
Noureddeine’s case goes back to 2015, when his car was
stopped and searched at a police check-point and a number of Bibles in Arabic
were found in it. The presiding judge dropped a two-year-sentence he had
received earlier in absentia, but upheld a three month suspended sentence. He
is not appealing the verdict.
CSW also
learned that a Christian from the city of Tizi Ouzou was also convicted of
proselytising last week. Nabil, 28, was stopped and searched in 2016
upon returning from a trip abroad, where he had attended a Christian training
conference. The police found keyrings and scarves with Christian engravings and
embroidery on them in his possession. Although he said they were gifts, he was
accused of illegally importing Christian materials, and his case was referred
to the general prosecutor. He too had been sentenced to prison in absentia.
However, during the recent court hearing the presiding judge dropped the prison
sentence, but ordered him to pay an unspecified customs fine for illegal importation,
plus legal expenses.
These sentences come amidst a fresh wave of repression
initiated by the government that has resulted in the closure of many churches
in the country. CSW’s sources assert that the authorities are implementing the
provisions of a much criticised law enacted in 2006 to regulate the worship of
non-Muslims. Not only does the law criminalise proselytising Muslims; it
also places severe restrictions on using premises for the purposes of worship,
on the construction of new churches, and on printing or importing Christian
books and materials. By doing so, the law contradicts the Algerian
constitution, which stipulates the right to freedom of worship for recognised
religions in Article 42, and undermines the provisions contained in international
covenants to which Algeria is a signatory, including the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: “We are
deeply concerned over the manner in which the 2006 Law suppresses the rights of
country’s Christian minority. Sadly, concerns expressed at the time of its
passing have proven justified. The law has opened the way for Christians to be
accused of proselytism and blasphemy, and to be threatened with imprisonment
and monetary fines. It has also facilitated the closure of many churches by
local authorities. CSW urges the Algerian government to repeal this law, which
contravenes constitutional stipulations and international human right
standards, to ensure fair treatment and due process for non-Muslims, and to
re-open closed churches”.
Notes to Editors:
- The 2006 Law, or “Ordinance 06-03 of 2006”, is also known as “Conditions and Rules for the Exercise of Religious Worship other than Islam”.