General Updates

The month of June 2026 was marked by decisions taken by the administration and security services aimed at preventing more than 3,000 people from standing in the legislative elections scheduled for 2 July, either due to alleged suspicions of corruption or on grounds related to the notion of a “threat to public order” concerning several activists. The period was also marked by numerous cases of restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of association. On the basis of Article 200 of the Electoral Law adopted in spring 2026, more than 30% of candidates who had submitted their applications were excluded.

According to the official data of the Independent National Electoral Authority, 788 collective candidate declaration files were examined at the national level, comprising a total of 10,168 candidates. According to the published figures, 77 electoral lists were definitively accepted, while 31 lists were rejected, including 16 due to failure to meet the legally required number of individual signature forms in accordance with the provisions of Article 202 of the Electoral Law.

Freedom of Association

The National Autonomous Council of Tertiary Education Staff (CNAPESTE), one of the country's largest teachers' unions, was dissolved on 27 July 2026 by a decision of the Algiers Administrative Court, with immediate effect. The decision followed proceedings initiated by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, supported by the Ministry of National Education. The authorities cited several grounds, including the union's non-compliance with Law No. 23-02 on the exercise of trade union rights, the absence of the required representativeness, as well as issues related to compliance with judicial decisions and the legitimacy of its union leadership.

Before appearing before the Bir Mourad Raïs Administrative Court, the union had described the case as a “decisive step” in the history of independent trade unionism, stressing that its existence for more than 23 years could not be called into question by a single judicial procedure. It also stressed that trade union freedom is a right guaranteed by the Algerian Constitution and by international conventions ratified by Algeria, particularly International Labour Organization conventions relating to freedom of association. The decision comes in a context marked by several proceedings against trade union leaders in recent months, including CNAPESTE National Coordinator Messaoud Boudiba and National Secretary Boubekeur Habet, who were placed under judicial supervision following a demonstration organized in the wilaya of M'sila. The case also comes amid debate surrounding the new law regulating the right to strike, which entered into force in 2023. While independent trade unions consider that the conditions imposed make the exercise of the right to strike more difficult, the authorities maintain that the legislation aims to regulate this right and ensure the continuity of public services.

Freedom of Expression

On 15 June 2026, the Algiers Criminal Court sentenced detained lawyer and President of the National Organization of Algerian Women’s Competencies and Elites, Latifa Dib, to four years in prison and a fine of 200,000 Algerian dinars, in a case related to a Facebook publication containing accusatory statements and displaying photographs of the President of the Republic and the Chief of Staff of the Army.

On 19 June 2026, the case of journalist and human rights activist Hassan Bouras was referred to the Criminal Court of First Instance, pending the setting of a trial date. Hassan Bouras had been placed in pre-trial detention in April following the opening of a judicial investigation into four charges, including two felonies and two misdemeanours, following his arrest in the city of El Bayadh, the search of his home and the seizure of some of his electronic equipment. Hassan Bouras is a well-known figure in journalism and human rights advocacy. In recent years, his work has focused in particular on monitoring local issues related to public affairs, corruption and civil rights. He had previously faced legal proceedings, leading several human rights and media actors to closely follow his current case.

In a statement published on 10 July 2026, United Nations experts called on the Algerian authorities to immediately release journalist and human rights defender Hassan Bouras, expressing concern over his continued detention and the deterioration of his health following a hunger strike. The experts also called on the authorities to ensure his access to necessary medical care as well as his right to communicate with his lawyers.

In another case, the Criminal Court of First Instance attached to the Adrar Court of Appeal sentenced former Hirak activist Ahmed Sidi Moussa to three years in prison on 22 June 2026, following proceedings for “glorifying terrorist acts” under Article 87 bis of the Penal Code. He had been held in pre-trial detention since late January before appearing before the court. Article 87 bis has been among the most controversial legal provisions in recent years. The authorities consider it part of the legislative framework for combating terrorism and protecting public security, while human rights organizations and lawyers argue that its broad wording allows for expansive interpretations in certain cases related to political activity or the expression of opinions.

The journalist was also prosecuted on charges including “glorifying terrorism,” “undermining state symbols,” and “disseminating ideas likely to incite hatred in society,” on the basis of provisions of the Penal Code and the law on the prevention of and fight against discrimination and hate speech. In particular, the journalist had hosted political programmes in the Amazigh language in recent years.

In addition, several Algerian activists and opponents based abroad addressed an open letter to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune following his statements during a meeting with the Algerian community in Germany on 16 July 2026, in which he stated that criticizing public policies and presenting alternatives constituted a legitimate right contributing to democratic development. The signatories stated that they considered returning to Algeria a fundamental right, while expressing concern that such a return could result in arrest, judicial proceedings or other restrictions because of their political activities or public statements.

They called for guarantees of the freedom to express political opinions, criticism and proposals without being subjected to defamation campaigns, accusations of treason or threats related to the deprivation of nationality. The letter also called for a review of certain legal provisions, particularly Article 87 bis of the Penal Code concerning terrorism, which has been criticized by human rights organizations because of its use in several cases related to political activity. Finally, the signatories called for similar measures to be adopted in favour of opponents and activists present in Algeria, including through the adoption of a general amnesty covering prisoners of conscience as well as individuals prosecuted or convicted for the peaceful exercise of their fundamental freedoms.

On 21 July 2026, the Court of Appeal attached to the Algiers Court confirmed the first-instance conviction of political opponent Fethi Ghares, sentencing him to two years in prison and a fine of 300,000 Algerian dinars, in a case related to statements considered offensive towards the President of the Republic. Fethi Ghares, National Coordinator of the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS), formerly the Algerian Communist Party, whose activities are suspended, was prosecuted in particular for “insulting a constituted institution” and “disseminating false information likely to undermine public order and security,” under Articles 146 and 196 bis of the Penal Code.