Algeria Violates Refugee Convention by Imprisoning and Deporting Syrian Migrants

Algeria Violates Refugee Convention by Imprisoning and Deporting Syrian Migrants
Algerian Authorities' Continued Disregard for International Refugee Protection Obligations Reflects Systematic Policy Targeting Syrian Migrants and Denying Basic Asylum and Protection Rights
December 12, 2024, 8:09 pm

الجزائر

Shuaa organization received flood of complaints recent months from dozens of Syrian families regarding children and relatives' detention in Algerian prisons attempting European transit. Following Bashar al-Assad regime collapse in Syria, organization received continued calls from Syrian detainees' families inquiring about relatives' fate.

Algerian courts issued varying sentences, including four-year imprisonments for brothers "Mahmoud Juma Al-Jasem and Fadl Juma Al-Jasem," and brothers "Salim Ibrahim and Juma Ibrahim." Also brothers "Muhannad Qabbani and Mohammed Qabbani" imprisoned since March 2024, sentenced with eight other Syrians to one year prison and 100,000 Algerian dinar fine.

Most detained Syrian migrants distributed between "Messerghine" and "Gdyel" prisons in Oran province, facing various charges including illegal entry and residence, attempting irregular country departure, failing to report migrant smuggling, and felony migrant smuggling through organizing group departures, including minors.

Imposing visas on Syrians March 2015 fundamentally transformed migration landscape. Syrian refugees previously traveling easily from Beirut to Algeria now forced dangerous routes through West and East Africa reaching Tunisia and Algeria.

Algerian authorities adopted hostile approach toward Syrian migrants, violating international protection commitments through hundreds' detention and imprisonment, denying asylum rights and urgent humanitarian aid.

Shuaa organization documents include horrific detention and cruel treatment testimonies, documenting forced deportation cases and humanitarian aid denial.

May 25, 2024 saw border guards arrest 37 Syrian migrants, including woman, child, and elderly person, in Debdeb area near Libyan border. Authorities confiscated belongings before transfer to Ain Amenas.

Ain Amenas court heard case May 27, 2024, imposing suspended 30,000 Algerian dinar fine for illegal entry.

Detainees faced harsh detention center conditions, forced outdoor sleeping, suffering malnutrition, continuous insults, deportation threats.

Ordeal ended with forced deportation to Libyan border under inhumane conditions, abandoned in severe desert heat, some drinking urine surviving thirst.

Algerian authorities continue Syrian migrants' rights violations, ignoring international obligations and Universal Periodic Review third cycle recommendations.

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