Algeria to tighten entry, residency controls for foreigners
2008-04-15
Algerian MPs are discussing a draft bill which would update 40-year-old laws regulating foreigners. Proponents say the measure would facilitate foreigners' legal entry and circulation while also helping to combat trafficking and terrorism, but questions are being raised about detention facility plans included in the proposed legislation.
By Mohand Ouali for Magharebia in Algiers – 15/04/08
 [Getty Images] Illegal immigrants leaving Mali for the Algerian border. Algeria's parliament is considering a new law regulating the entry, residence and travel of foreigners. |
A government plan imposing new conditions on all foreigners entering, residing and travelling in Algeria was presented to legislators on Wednesday (April 9th). Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, who introduced the draft bill to a session of the National Popular Assembly (APN), said the measure would help security officers check identification and combat terrorism and criminal activity more effectively.
The law governing foreigners has been in effect for 41 years; proponents of the bill argue that Algeria's security situation, along with developments in international law, have made it obsolete. "Today, Algeria must deal with organised crime in the economic sector, drug trafficking and arms smuggling in relation to terrorism," said the minister, explaining that on the international level, particularly in the European Union, legislation has been adapted to tighten immigration controls.
The new law would facilitate foreigners' legal entry and circulation while also cracking down on illegal immigration, smuggling and security violations. It sets up incremental penalties against smuggling networks, organisations transporting illegal immigrants and companies employing foreigners on the black market.
Foreigners who wish to fix their permanent residence in Algeria will be issued residence permits valid for two years. Those on placements or having a work contract may, depending on their situation, obtain residence permits for less than two years. However, the law provides for the possible issuance of a ten-year residence permit for foreign nationals who have settled in Algeria for a continuous and legal stay of seven years or more.
Beyond this, the law will make biometric passports obligatory for diplomatic representation, with fingerprints and photographs being taken from foreigners at border posts or when police checks are carried out within the country. Travel insurance and stamp duty for the permit are also obligatory.
However, a plan to set up holding centres for illegal immigrants awaiting repatriation is drawing criticism from parliamentarians. Some deputies asked for this provision to be completely cancelled, denouncing the measure as incompatible with freedom and saying it sacrifices humanity to benefit security.
Responding to the MPs' outcry, Zerhouni said, "This does not mean that Algeria will forget the position it has taken on solidarity with the public and its human rights principles [or] that it will close in on itself."
One researcher who has carried out considerable work on the subject of migration finds the parliamentarians' concerns to be valid. Saïb Musette said that "the most questionable point" of the draft bill is "the creation of holding centres and the possibility given to walis to expel people, which is not in accordance with the conventions ratified by Algeria as part of its protection of migrants’ rights."
"I would like to have been able to see the text and compare it with the Moroccan or Tunisian measures," Musette added.
Despite press coverage of the debate in the National Popular Assembly, there has been little popular reaction in Algeria.
Business manager Salaheddine Badaoui said he was totally unaware of the draft law. "I’ll go and find out straight away," he told Magharebia.
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العنا بي 23000.الجزائر Posted 2008-04-19
In the present conditions, we must as Algerians be very wary and careful about the danger threatening our dear nation whether it is a continental, African, Arab or external threat such as the Christianizing campaigns which I consider to be paving the way to external intervention in the internal affairs of Algeria. Who doesn’t remember the blood decade and the deteriorated condition of the value of the Algerian citizen I don’t mean internally but externally meaning Tunisia and Morocco in addition to other countries on the other shore of the Mediterranean especially France. They used to consider Algeria as a source of evil, they used to look at us, I mean the Algerian citizen, as a sick she-goat. They intentionally attached the word terrorism to every Algerian no matter what are his age, convictions and origins even Arab countries have imposed a visa on every Algerian. And today after the dissipation of the gloom thanks to the wise policy of his Excellency the president of the republic Abdelaziz Boutefliak beginning with the national reconciliation which bore its fruits despite the attempts of some sides to thwart it, the huge workshop, you are amazed by the huge projects wherever you turn your attention, this has stirred the anger of some sides which are circulating that the present situation of Algeria is a cancerous desperate condition…I am a very simple from the Wilaya of Annaba, I am a chief of a team in the service of purification and cleaning but I am at the same time an Algerian to the backbone. I have friends outside this country which has and will never fall. I have hosted many foreigners if different nationalities and they all agreed that Algeria is a paradise on earth with its hospitable people, with its treasures and fascinating beauty like a virgin who is just starting to put make-up. I say that everyone who sees in us a scar of shame, those who consider us a belligerent nation, I say to all these people that paradise has a price. So what is the price you suggest for a canopy in paradise. Algeria is a hospitable nation, its people are hospitable like Al Taei. But even all the tyrants of the world were to be allied, it won’t take from us an atom coercively or intentionally because we Algerians, not out of chauvinism or hatred that I say it, and I don’t fear the blame of anyone. Algeria is to the Algerians, so what is the use of mendicancy and entreaty. If I were controlling things, I would have built a wall like the wall of China so that I stop the envies of every envier and spiteful. Time is rewarding.
BritishEx-Pat In Algeria Posted 2008-04-20
Aslamu alakum/hello i think its all to easy to blame illgal imigrants for crime like drugs and weapons traficing, what i don't understand how these people have the means esp when they are living in conditions fit for dogs? i feel its a cover up, this type of crime is organised and they need to look to the algerian people and not use the illegals as scape goats. Now this new leg , as a resident in algeria i am just wondering if it will benifit me , as i am fed up with being given 2 years at a time , why is it so hard to naturlise in Algeria?
BEN Posted 2008-04-21
Algeria is far from being the vanguard of Africa. It has closed its artificial border, the gift of colonialism that it is, to its Moroccan neighbours for services rendered in times of distress. Today, all of Africa is its target. And, its gas and oil have further given it delusions of grandeur and decadence. Shame on you!
وليد Posted 2009-02-10
I hope from the great Algerian government to consider mercifully residence law and not humiliate any of our resident brothers whether with words or attitude. This is a request to the people of revolution, the free people. Your Algerian brother who has not seen Algeria.
حياة Posted 2009-06-08
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. I agree with you, everyone of us is concerned about his country. But have you thought one day that there are foreigners in Algeria married to Algerian women and have children like my case. My husband is Syrian. He had a residence permit. He has been living in Algeria since 1996. But now when his permit has expired, he found obstacles. Now he is imprisoned, I an and his son are lost without him. Supposing that he is imprisoned or expelled from Algeria, what will be our fate? Mercy! “Have mercy on those on earth and God in heaven will have mercy on you”.
امال Posted 2009-07-21
Salam alikum. I am Algerian and I am proud of it. I don't say I agree with residence or nationality law because I am Algerian, but because I am objective and with law. Why are you surprised at the restrictions or conditions imposed by Algeria on foreigners whether they are Arab brothers or Europeans? Don't you know the proverb of reciprocity? This exists in international agreements and it is one of the principles of law. As they treat us in other countries, describe us as terrorists, impose strict control and inspection on us in airports, we at least treat them with respect and hospitality. But this doesn't mean there will be nonchalance and inattention. We have endured so much. Our soil has drunk a lot of blood. The resources of our country were plundered and stolen. We lived harsh times, even worse than the colonization. At the time we knew at least who was our enemy. But in the era of terrorism we don't know. We are free and independent but fear paralyses us. You cannot travel without knowing if the place is safe or not. I will stop here because if I express all my ideas I will write a volume under the title “My country I love you madly even if we lack rights (work, house...)” but it is my country with its good and bad sides.
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