B4-0995, 1012, 1020, 1032, 1036 and 1045/98

Resolution on freedom of expression in Algeria

19/11/98

The European Parliament,

- recalling its earlier resolutions on the situation in Algeria, and in particular its resolution of 18 July 1996 on press freedom(22),

A. concerned at the situation in Algeria and having regard to the fact that, since June 1998, the Algerian private press has published articles accusing senior government figures of acts of corruption and abuse of power,

B. whereas the presidential elections, initially scheduled for February, have been postponed until April 1999 in order to give Algerian political parties more time to prepare for them,

C. concerned at the decision by the State printers to suspend the publication of several French-language titles - El Watan, Le Matin, La Tribune, Le Soir d'Algérie - on the pretext of unpaid debts,

D. having regard to the statements and acts of solidarity by the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) and by other Algerian daily newspapers which have temporarily suspended publication in protest at this decision,

E. regretting that there is a de facto monopoly in Algeria of the purchase of paper, printing and advertising, which enables the political authorities to exercise indirect control over the press whenever it wishes,

F. recalling that the Algerian press plays a decisive role in combating fundamentalism and terrorism in all their forms, and stressing the heavy tribute the press has paid to terrorism in terms of lives lost,

G. recalling the undertakings signed by the Algerian government in the context of the November 1995 Barcelona Declaration,

H. stressing the importance of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and the need to advance this process with all those countries which fully subscribe to the principles of peace and cooperation set out in the Barcelona Declaration,

1. Expresses its solidarity with the Algerian press and encourages the Algerian authorities to protect and develop fundamental public freedoms;

2. Calls on the Algerian authorities to guarantee the exercise of the freedom of the press and the regular appearance of Algerian newspapers;

3. Considers the suspension of these publications all the more worrying given that the country is on the threshold of an election campaign;

4. Calls on the Algerian government to put an end to the de facto State monopoly on the purchase of paper, printing and advertising; hopes that in this way the freedom and independence of the press can be guaranteed; calls on the Algerian authorities to launch these reforms without delay;

5. Calls on the Commission to support all projects aimed at promoting freedom of the press and making it an essential element in EU-Algeria cooperation ;

6. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely the development of democracy, and in particular of freedom of expression, in the context of negotiations on the Euro-Mediterranean association agreement with Algeria, and to report its findings to Parliament regularly;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the government of Algeria.