On Thursday 11 May, MEPs called on the Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Ihsane El-Kadi and all those people arbitrarily detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Mr El-Kadi was sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment in April for receiving funds for “political propaganda” and for “undermining state security”.
The resolution of the Greens/EFA, S&D, Renew Europe, EPP and ECR groups that was adopted by the European Parliament (536 votes in favour, 4 against and 18 abstentions) also called on the Algerian authorities to respect and defend fundamental freedoms, in particular freedom of the media, the reopening of closed media outlets and the bringing to an end of the arrest and detention of political activists, journalists, human rights defenders and trade unionists.
According to MEPs, Algeria should amend the security clauses of the Penal Code that are used to criminalise freedom of expression and bring those laws that restrict freedom of expression into line with international human rights standards.
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/6uo (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)