Algeria to forgive citizens in illegal situations abroad

Algeria’s President Abdelmajid Tebboune has announced that Algerian immigrants living in illegal or precarious situations abroad will have their offence nullified upon return, according to RFI on 13th January.

Since 2009, the North African state has punished Algerian illegal immigrants trying to come home or caught at sea, with sentences of up to 6 months jail, with a law that criminalized any illegal exit of its territory.

In a speech focusing on vulnerable youth that may have been “exploited or misled” by criminal mafia networks, Tebboune exhorted them to come home, assuring them that they wouldn’t be prosecuted. He added that this measure excluded those convicted of violent crime, drug offenses or arms trafficking abroad, as well as anyone who had collaborated with foreign services against Algeria, but would overlook minor infractions.

The announcement has been welcomed by civil society and political parties, with the El-Bina conservative movement in particular describing Tebboune’s call for young Algerians to return as “humane and fatherly”, noting that it was an important step for national cohesion. Lawyers also saluted the President’s olive branch towards the country’s youth abroad.

This news will probably be welcomed by the French government, as Algeria has systematically refused to “take back” Algerians in irregular situations that France has tried to deport. This issue has been one of the main drivers between the complete breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two states.

France has the largest Algerian community in the world, with about 900.000 Algerian immigrants settled in the country, and over 2 million of Algerian descent. Algerians are also the top group targeted by OQTF measures (Obligation to leave French territory), delivered to people who don’t have a valid residence permit, but under 10% are actually deported.

The situation has thawed slightly recently with the departure of Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, perceived as hostile to Algeria, and his replacement by Laurent Nunez expressing his desire to visit the country and restart dialogue.

RFI, Le Courrier d’Algerie, Maghrebi.org