In progress at UNHQ

HR/4256

ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS COMMITTEE EXAMINES ALGERIA REPORT

1 December 1995


Press Release
HR/4256


ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS COMMITTEE EXAMINES ALGERIA REPORT

19951201 GENEVA, 30 November (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this morning began its consideration of the initial report of Algeria on how that country was complying with the International Covenant on those rights.

Hocine Meghlaoui, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations at Geneva headed the delegation. He was accompanied by Menad Hebbak, responsible for the follow-up of International Conventions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mohamed Hassaine, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission; Abdelwahab Hamed of the Ministry of Justice; and Khalida Boubir of the Ministry of National Education.

Introducing the report, Mr. Meghlaoui said Algeria was experiencing an acceleration of economic, social and political changes. Those changes were targeted at reinforcing the democratic structures of the country, improving the functioning of the national institutions, consolidating the State, based on the rule of law and the restoration of an authentic multiparty system. The overhaul consisted essentially of strengthening the democratic structures and consolidating the State based on the rule of law. The actions undertaken had backed various measures to give legal and material effect to the constitutional principles adopted to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

He said Algeria had acceded to all international instruments pertaining to human rights, including optional protocols. It has also demonstrated a great will by cooperating with conventional or non-conventional monitoring bodies of human rights, despite some difficulties concerning insufficient expertise. Nevertheless, the problems had been progressively overcome and Algeria would continue to meet its obligations, particularly its presentation of the reports.

He went on to say that his country was affected by the economic recession that touched the agricultural sector, already suffering from persisting drought. Public works construction and industries were running at 50 per cent of their normal rate. That situation had grave consequences:

unemployment already stood at 22 per cent of the working population. The number of unemployed was estimated to be 1.5 million, and each year 250,000 persons join the labour market.

Mr. Meghlaoui told the experts that Algerian authorities had decided to move to a market economy with a new strategy and a policy of reduced State intervention in economic management. Also, resources were allocated to the productive and profit-making sectors. The private sector was also promoted and encouraged to participate in the economic affairs of the country. However, the Government had put in place a social protection system aimed at safeguarding the well-being of the most vulnerable segments of the population.

Despite the difficult security situation reigning in Algeria through the destruction of the economic and social infrastructure, some economic achievements had been obtained in agriculture, construction and small-scale industries. Another positive evolution was the recent presidential election which resulted in the election of the head of State by universal suffrage. That was a significant sign to a country that experienced various sorts of crises.

In response to the questions of Committee members, the delegation told that Algerian terrorists targeted not only women or some selected persons, but their actions had threatened everybody. Media people were often the targets of terrorists so that they could get publicity outside the country.

The delegation said that the National Human Rights Observatory had conducted activities designed to disseminate knowledge and awareness of the principles of human rights, contained in national legislation and international legal instruments, among the general public. It had also issued various publications to improve the effectiveness of its activities armed at protecting and promoting human rights. The Observatory was currently strengthening its activities at the local level by opening offices throughout the country. Television spots on the subject of the campaigns of women for equality of rights or against terrorism, the rights of he child, the protection of the environment, the rights of the handicapped and freedom of the press had been created and broadcast.

The delegation indicated that the exceptional measures taken under the state of emergency were all accompanied by guarantees of the protection of human rights. In particular, the delegation continued, the rights and freedoms set forth in articles 1 to 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights had not been restricted in any way.

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To a question concerning the right to strike, the delegation recalled that the state of emergency which was declared in 1990 did not affect the right to strike and the right to create a trade union. In 1991, 921 strikes had taken place in the public sector and 113 in the private sector.

Regarding the conditions of minorities, the delegation affirmed that Algeria had no problems concerning its minorities. It was a melting pot of different groups and there was no discrimination among Algerians. The Government was endeavouring, however, to correct certain backwardness in the Saharan regions of the country.

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For information media. Not an official record.