Moroccan Rights Group Warns Against Travel to Algeria Amid Safety Concerns

"Algeria is no longer a safe country in terms of human rights, particularly for Moroccan artisans, entrepreneurs and traditional craftsmen, or even for those wishing to visit this country for family reasons, who find themselves exposed to arbitrary arrests and unfair trials," the association said in a statement.

The Moroccan League for the Defense of Human Rights also condemns "the arrest and trial of more than 500 Moroccan citizens on various charges, under conditions that do not respect the minimum standards of a fair trial. Some of these detainees have been incarcerated in Algerian prisons for more than a year without any charges being brought against them or being brought before a court. What is even more serious is that some of them are being held in psychiatric centers and hospitals, where their rights are blatantly violated."

In its note, the League also condemns Algeria’s "provocative behavior" towards Moroccan citizens, referring to "the murder and detention of young Moroccans near the maritime waters of the Saïdia beach, as well as the imposition of visas on visitors holding Moroccan passports wishing to enter Algeria." As for traditional craftsmen, they "are forced to choose between teaching Algerians the basics of traditional craftsmanship (especially zellige and wood carving) or being imprisoned in prisons and psychiatric hospitals," the association criticizes.

In view of the above, the League considers that Algeria, "in its current state, is an unsecured environment for businessmen, artisans, traditional craftsmen and visitors... of Moroccan nationality." It calls on "the Moroccan authorities to take their responsibilities towards their citizens detained in Algeria, under conditions violating their human rights."