In our third Campaign Update (Available here) we focused on persecution of the Christian minority in Algeria. We highlighted the new regulations, passed in February 2006 and brought into effect in September 2006, that heavily regulate the practice of all non-Muslim faiths.
We have noted a number of discrepancies, and identified some points that we can look to debate further with the Algerian government. We have drafted responses to many of the points raised, and written sample letters for the appropriate people.
1. British_Embassy_bullet_points.doc
2. British_Embassy_letter.doc
3. MP_Tom_Levitt_bullet_points.doc
4. MP_Tom_Levitt_letter.doc
5. FCO_bullet_points.doc
6. Euro_Comm_HR_bullet_points.doc
A new set of regulations in Algeria severely threatens the growing Christian Church in that country. Twenty five years ago there were only a few hundred national Algerian Christians; today there are tens of thousands. The new regulations were signed by President Abdelaziz Boutiflika on 28th February 2006. There is a six month adaptation period which means the regulations come completely into force at the end of August 2006. (Click to read the Algerian regulations: English (Translation) - Français - Arabic. Opens a separate PDF document)
However these new regulations clearly contravene the Algerian Constitution, articles 29, 32 and 41.
Article 29 states that: " Citizens are equal before the law with no discrimination on the basis of birth, race, gender, opinion or any other personal or social condition or circumstance”
Article 32 states “The fundamental liberties and human rights of the citizen are guaranteed”
Article 41 guarantees “the liberties of expression, association and gathering”
The guarantee of the freedom of religious worship is a fundamental human right, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 [link] which guarantees in article 18:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
(Algeria has signed the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 [link] states in article 18 that everyone:
“shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.”
Article 19 goes on to state that:
“Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.”
(Algeria has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)
The new Algerian regulations are self-contradictory in that the preamble (article 4) states that
“It is forbidden to use religious affiliation as the basis for discrimination towards any person or group of persons.” However the regulations then proceed to do just that, discriminating in numerous ways against the religion of Algerian non-Muslim citizens who for the most part would be Christians.
(Click to read the Algerian regulations: English (Translation) - Français - Arabic.
Opens a separate PDF document)
Articles 6-8 legislate for the use of premises by Christians – all worship and religious gatherings must be in designated approved places, public and subject to prior declaration. This gives the state the ability to forbid groups and meetings of which it disapproves. More generally, this could prevent house groups, prayer meetings, Bible studies or any other gatherings in private houses as they would not be “public and subject to prior declaration”. This contravenes the right to meet in public or private.
Article 9 gives powers of oversight to a National Commission which in particular must give “prior approval for the formation of associations of a religious character”. As well as the ability to render illegal or hinder the operation of faiths of which the government disapproves, small religious groups would find it impossible to gain official permission as the laws on forming associations require 15 members.
Article 10 contains a vague threat against “resistance” to the new laws with sanctions ranging from fines to up to five years in prison. It is not clear what this will mean in practice but it might be used to outlaw legitimate peaceful criticism.
Article 11 threatens fines and imprisonment for anyone who “incites, constrains or utilizes means of seduction tending to convert a Muslim to another religion”. Possession of materials likely to “shake the faith of a Muslim” also become illegal. This could strike at all testimony, witness, outreach or even answering questions about Christianity from Muslim friends. It could even be deemed illegal to possess a Bible or New Testament.
Article 12 forbids taking collections or receiving gifts without prior authorisation by the state.
Article 13 forbids leading an act of worship, organising a religious assembly or “preaching” (undefined) without prior authorisation. Again the Algerian state is giving itself the power to regulate who leads, speaks and teaches in non-Muslim religions.
Article 15 allows the authorities to impose heavy fines and dissolve any religious group that infringes these regulations. This is on top of the fines and imprisonment that individual Christians may incur.
(Click to read the Algerian regulations: English (Translation) - Français - Arabic. Opens a separate PDF document)
BARNABAS FUND AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO ORGANISE SUPPORT FOR THE ALGERIAN CHURCH. IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE ALGERIAN AUTHORITIES MAY BE WAITING TO ASSESS INTERNATIONAL REACTION BEFORE DECIDING HOW VIGOUROUSLY TO IMPLEMENT THESE NEW LAWS. IT IS THEREFORE VITAL THAT WE ACT NOW. THEREFORE WE URGE YOU TO DO THE FOLLOWING:-
- Write to the Algerian Embassy or Consulate in your country to protest against these new discriminatory regulations. Click here to view addresses and sample letter.
- Write to your political representative in your country to draw their attention to the situation and ask them to make representations to the Algerian authorities. Click here to view sample letter.
- Encourage your church, friends and family to join this campaign.
