In Algeria, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders recently called for an end to “[a]cts of intimidation, silencing and repression against the human rights movement.”
In this vein, TrialWatch monitored the case of activist Ahmed Manseri, who was charged with defamation for having filed a criminal complaint in which he alleges that he was tortured by the police. He was ultimately acquitted. His lawyer stated that the trial monitor’s presence likely spurred the acquittal. The monitor reported that, “the treatment of [the] case differed significantly from the treatment of any other case heard that day.”
The Clooney Foundation for Justice’s TrialWatch intended to monitor the trial of Said Boudour in Algeria.
Mr. Boudour is a freelance journalist and human rights defender. On March 10, 2020, an Algerian court confirmed charges of defamation, ‘insulting official bodies,’ and attempted blackmail (‘threat to defame’) against Mr. Boudour. His trial was set to begin on July 7, 2020. he was ultimately given a suspended sentence.
Pursuing criminal penalties for Mr. Boudour’s allegedly defamatory and insulting speech was inconsistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ahmed Manseri, an Algerian blogger and human rights activist, was acquitted after TrialWatch monitored his trial. Mr. Manseri was charged with criminal defamation after he filed a criminal complaint alleging police abuse. His trial, graded a “D” by TrialWatch, was one of the first cases to be monitored by an international organization in Algeria in years.
The monitor reported
Algeria: Blogger and Human Rights Activist Acquitted
Ahmed Manseri, an Algerian blogger and human rights activist, was acquitted after TrialWatch monitored his trial. Mr. Manseri was charged with criminal defamation after he filed a criminal complaint alleging police abuse. His trial, graded a “D” by TrialWatch, was one of the first cases to be monitored by an international organization in Algeria in years.
The monitor reported “that the treatment of Mr. Manseri’s case differed significantly from the treatment of any other case heard that day” in that the judge took the time to ensure that Mr. Manseri’s rights were respected. And Mr. Manseri’s lawyer told CFJ that he doubted Mr. Manseri would have been allowed to go home but for the presence of the monitor.
The judicial harassment he experienced through the proceedings and the threat of further such action led him to temporarily flee the country, a significant harm.
