Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Algeria Announces New Law to Combat 'Human Trafficking' in Response to US Criticism

Algeria Announces New Law to Combat 'Human Trafficking' in Response to US Criticism

The Algerian government announced a new draft law on "human trafficking," which included penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment.
The new law came in response to observations in annual reports of the US State Department on human trafficking, which criticized Algeria.

It calls for a national strategy to prevent human trafficking, asserting the need to harness all necessary efforts and capabilities to implement the new law.

Various state institutions and civil society participated in developing and implementing the new national strategy.

The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, established in 2016, prepared an annual report on the situation of human trafficking in Algeria, evaluated the measures taken to prevent and combat it, and submitted it to the President.

The new draft law stipulated that the state accompany victims of human trafficking and provide them with health, psychological, social, and legal assistance and care.

It must also facilitate their reintegration into society, with particular attention to women, children, and people with special needs, considering their age and gender. Victims are treated free of charge by public health institutions.

The authorities' protection also included Algerians who are victims of such crimes abroad, as the state works in coordination with the competent authorities in the concerned countries to assist them and, upon their request, facilitate their return to Algeria.

Foreign victims are also included under the new law, and the state facilitates their return to their home countries. They can also request compensation before the Algerian judiciary and benefit from the National Fund to Assist Victims of Human Trafficking, established for this purpose.

The government divided victims of human trafficking into several categories, including recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving one or more persons under threat or by use of force.

It also identifies the group that gives or receives sums of money or benefits to sell, deliver, or obtain a child and any act or practice that allows child marriage without having the right to refuse.

The draft allowed the prosecution to search homes any time of the day in the event of a suspected human trafficking crime.

Observers noted that the law targeted people who employ sub-Saharan nationals in their homes, or construction sites, especially since their rights are often violated illegally. Each year, thousands of sub-Saharan citizens enter Algeria.

In 2021, the US State Department ranked Algeria as a third-tier country regarding human trafficking, the lowest tier in the report. The following year, it upgraded the country to the second tier.

Algeria considered the classification "unfair" and confirmed that it had doubled investigations, prosecutions, and convictions and provided shelter to many victims, especially children.

Algiers said it had proved exemplary cooperation with international organizations to train officials and launch public awareness campaigns.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×