CONFIDENTIAL
ALGERIA (continued)
Right No.
(v)
Rating suggested
by Post
and of all publication, import and distribution of all printed matter. The only brake on censorship in Algeria is the ability of Algerians to hear and understand medium wave news broadcasts from France, and the existence of nearly one million Algerian migrants in France.
The judiciary affects some independence, but there is no evidence that this goes beyond the private expression of disquiet at instructions received. President Boumédienne has stated publicly "In our society a barrister must [in cases of "unjust causes and crimes"] plead guilty and ask for the mercy of the tribunal. In a country which makes a revolution the barrister cannot whiten a criminal and criticise the judicial policies which are designed to defend the interests of the people ... Our conception of justice is different from that of the capitalist countries."
A number of retroactive sentences have been handed down.
The
(vi) There is only one trade union. Its
officers are government-appointed. right to strike is confined to those employed in the private sector. For other workers "the strike as a method aimed at improving working conditions is a means of recourse absolutely to be forbidden". The situation is much less liberal than ten years ago.
(vii), Freedom to emigrate is a reward to the
faithful only. An exit visa as well as a passport is required. It is frequently withheld. Emigration of Algerian workers has been officially halted since the end of 1973. The exit visa obligation also applies to foreigners. A number of foreigners are detained in Algeria by this means. The trend is increasingly restrictive.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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