Résolution du Parlement Européen "Libérez les journalistes!" L'Union Européenne presse Alger Le Parlement Européen condamne Le Parlement Européen réclame la libération Rsf se voit systématiquement refuser le visa Le Parlement européen saisit les autorités algériennes Message de Mohamed Benchicou Le délit de dire Quand une victime devient coupable Se taire ou disparaître Rassemblement à la Maison de la Presse Parce qu'ils ont l'Algérie au coeur L'avocat de Benchicou répond à Belkhadem La chronique d'Élisabeth Dath Vaste mouvement de solidarité en France Mobilisation pour Mohamed Benchicou Des sit-in de la Fij devants des ambassades algériennes Relaxer les journalistes algériens Appel de l'Humanité La Fij dénonce Indignation Malade, Benchicou restera en Prison Benchicou est maintenu en prison Le mur du silence se lézarde La presse "uniformément correcte" Journalists behind bars? Des journalistes derrière les barreaux? Harcèlement à l'égard de la presse indépendante Liberté pour les journalistes Regain de mobilisation Déclaration Liberté de la presse Algérie, morne presse Harcèlement systématique Journalistes de tous pays, unissez-vous! "Benchicou doit être libéré" Mise au point de Mme Benchicou Le pluralisme de façade Les journalistes français solidaires Escalada de represión Rsf demande un terme au cauchemar judiciaire "Benchicou ne mérite pas l'emprisonnement" Le Matin, Benchicou et Hugo Chavez "Benchicou paye pour ses écrits" La normalisation de la société La presse étroitement surveillée Fait inédit La justice algérienne confirme la peine de prison "On est tous des Benchicou!" Stifling press freedom Fine annunciata de un giornale troppo scomodo Confirmation en appel de la peine de 2 ans de prison Rsf dénonce une justice inique Le Matin est suspendu Déclaration du Comité pour la libération des journalistes Pitizioni per I giornalisti incarcerati Le président Bouteflika ferme le jeu Les sénateurs américains interpellés Des témoins pour Benchicou La Fidh s'inquiète des atteintes répétées à la liberté de la presse Lettre ouverte au président Bouteflika La tromperie nationale "La situation de la liberté de la presse, dans ces pays, est lamentable" Bradage du siège du journal Le Matin For international plan of action Une délégation des médias demande un plan international d'action Concern over "media crisis" in Algeria "Il y a danger sur les libertés" Nouvelle agression contre la presse indépendante en Algérie Algerian press decries journalist's jailing Suite aux emprisonnements et aux menaces contre la presse Mme Benchicou saisit le Parlement européen Paris et la Commission interpellés "Je n'ai commis aucune infraction" Pour la libération immédiate de Hafnaoui et Benchicou Dois anos de prisao para jornalista argelino Pétition pour la libération de Mohamed Benchicou Pétition:"Liberez Benchicou!" Algérie, un pays qui résiste Cpj calls on authorities to cease campaign of judicial harassment Omar Belhouchet:"Au suivant!" Benchicou sentenced to two years in prison Mohamed Benchicou condamné à 2 ans de prison Algérie, rapport 2004 "Bouteflika, une imposture algérienne" In der loyalitätsfalle "Le Matin ne se laissera pas faire" Le communiqué du Matin Bouteflika no puede prohibir un libro Le livre de Mohamed Benchicou Les éditeurs de journaux se réunissent Sas condenado a 6 meses de prisión incondecional Solidarity with algerian media Solidarité internationale avec les médias algériens Rsf denuncia el acoso a que está sometida la prensa Nuevas detenciones de periodistas en Argelia Le Matin newspaper harassed by police Benchicou talks about attitudes to press freedom Benchicou revient sur les 10 années d'existence d'une presse ébranlée par la guerre
20 avril 2005
The repression that has been stifling the Algerian press worsened yesterday with the condemnation of five professionals to firm prison sentences, including the director of the Matin, Mohamed Benchicou, and Hassane Zerrouky, journalist for l’Humanité.
The Algerian powers that be just delivered their definition
of liberty for the press via its court rooms. In the context of two affairs
implicating journalists for the Matin, a local newspaper whose presses have
been silent since June 2004, the courts of Alger pronounced heavy sentences
against Matin journalists as well as against the director, Mohamed Benchicou,
who has been jailed for the past ten months at this point.
Youssef Rezzoug, recently editor-in-chief for the Matin, and Yasmine Ferroukhi
were both sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for an investigation implicating
leaders of Sonatrach, the Algerian public works company specialized in energy
resources. Abla Chérif, along with Hassane Zerrouky, journalist for l’Humanité,
were condemned to two months’ prison. As for Mohamed Benchicou, his sentence
is for five months! These sentences are extremely harsh for an affair where
the plaintiffs only requested a symbolic dinar in compensation.
A trial lacking attention from the media
These condemnations constitute an attack on the freedom of expression and basic
human rights. The verdict, which initially was to be pronounced last week, was
delayed for a few days as a result of this newspaper’s mobilization, as well
as the demonstration organized in front of Paris’ Algerian embassy.
Communist, Socialist and Green senators and deputies supported our initiative.
Unfortunately, with the exception of Agence France, the French media didn’t
sound the least echo of this demonstration. Not a single article was published
in this regard.
This deafening silence is an ally for Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika,
who is using the penal code to browbeat the journalists. Perhaps their mistake
was for resisting the wave of Muslim fundamentalism during the 1990s while certain
political figures were hiding out far from Alger, in the shelter of other Arab
capitals.
Are our Algerian colleagues being penalized for doing their jobs, denouncing
abuse in any form, including the misappropriation of public funds and the implication
of certain people close to the inner circle of power in these affairs which
can be considered white-collar crime?
Clearly, the Algerian powers that be don’t appreciate having their laundry washed
in public. Today, all journalists are targets of repression. However the “Matin”
bears the strongest brunt, for having established a direct link for such affairs
between the development of a liberal privatisation strategy of Algerian national
resources and the increasing pauperisation of the population.
Under such conditions, freedom of expression and association are extremely limited,
and those who point a finger at corruption and make vague attempts at maintaining
the society’s democratic principles have become dangerous agitators who must
be silenced. Economic sanctions are not adequate, so prisons have become silent
chambers. Basically, that is the message that the Algerian authorities are getting
across.
What recently happened to the director of “Soir d’Algérie” is another
example of such methods. The court of appeals of Alger examined the law suit
opposing the “Soir d’Algérie” and the board of directors of the Algerian
customs office. Initially, Fouad Boughanem, director of the publication, and
Djillali Hadjadj, author of the “Soir corruption” column were slapped with a
fine for having published an article in January 2002 on the customs office.
When this went to the court of appeals, the State prosecutor asked that the
sentence be made more severe. The suit is still under deliberation. Every week,
newspaper directors and journalists are being dragged in front of the tribunals
like petty criminals.
“We support our Algerian journalist colleagues, and we are asking the Algerian
government to respect the unfettered profession of journalism.” This is one
of seven resolutions adopted during the first meeting of Mediterranean journalists
in Almeria, Spain on April 16th. Meeting participants asked the Algerian government
“to respect freedom of the press and to agree not to put journalists behind
bars.
They also called on the government to revise or modify the penal code “so as
to protect and guarantee the liberty and plurality of information” and to thus
ensure the independence of the judiciary powers. In their final declaration,
the Almeria attendees hope that “solidarity among Mediterranean journalists
may provide an effective means of fighting against any form of pressure or censure
aiming to stifle the right to information.”
In Algeria, journalists are thrown into prison like petty criminals by a State
which in the meantime is concocting a law granting amnesty to the murderers
of the 1990s. Communist senators Éliane Assassi and Nicole Borvo have
appealed to Michel Barnier, the French minister for foreign affairs on two different
occasions regarding these infringements to the freedom of the press. Mr Barnier
has so far not deigned to respond.
Abla Chérif, Yasmine Ferroukhi, Youssef Rezzoug and Hassane Zerrouky
have decided to appeal these wrongful condemnations. A protest march is being
scheduled in Paris for the near future. Demonstrations in front of Algerian
consulates may also be carried out in the provinces. As of today, the courts
must examine the request to free Mohamed Benchicou, who has been again sentenced
to five months’ incarceration.
These attacks have a name: State terrorism. The international response must
be forceful so as to counter the desire to stifle Algerian democratic expression.
Non-profit organisations and journalists may also take action in order to help
free our colleagues, and specifically, Mohamed Benchicou. Let us together take
a stand against silence and repression of the voice of democracy and freedom.
.
