Arrest of trade union leader Ali Mammeri: The authorities' audacity in suppressing the voice of trade union freedom.

In a move that demonstrates blatant disregard for human rights and trade union freedoms, Algerian authorities have arrested a prominent trade union leader. Ali Mammeri, head of the Culture Sector Employees Union, was arbitrarily and humiliatingly arrested. This arrest, carried out without any legal basis or clear charges, is yet another slap in the face of freedom of association and workers' rights in Algeria, and demonstrates the Algerian government's willingness to suppress any free voice demanding justice and transparency.

Enforced disappearance... Where is Ali Mammeri?

Since the morning of March 19, 2025, Ali Mammeri has disappeared from his workplace in Oum El Bouaghi province, after being taken away by plainclothes security personnel without explanation. More than 48 hours have passed, and his family has been unable to obtain any official information about his whereabouts or the charges against him. Even his lawyer has not been allowed to see any details, heightening concerns that Mammeri's most basic human rights have been violated.

Unofficial sources indicate that Mammeri was transferred to Constantine province for a "thorough investigation," but authorities refuse to disclose any details. This eerie silence recalls the worst days of human rights violations in the country, where enforced disappearance is used as a tool to intimidate activists and silence independent voices.

International solidarity and widespread condemnation

Mammeri's case did not go unnoticed, sparking a wave of condemnation and solidarity from international and human rights organizations.

The Confederation of Productive Forces, to which Mammeri belongs, announced its intention to send urgent letters to the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances and Arbitrary Detention of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, demanding urgent intervention to end this flagrant violation.

Mammeri's arrest also comes in the context of an inquiry submitted by the International Labor Organization's Committee on Freedom of Association regarding the arbitrary transfer he previously suffered after being elected as a representative of employees in the culture sector. This transfer was a blatant attempt to silence his voice, and today's arrest is a continuation of the same repressive policy aimed at intimidating anyone who demands their rights.

The regime's crimes against independent unions

Ali Mammeri's arrest is not an isolated incident. Rather, it is part of a systematic policy targeting independent unions and human rights activists in Algeria. The government appears to live in constant fear of any free voice, resorting to repressive measures to ensure that union and human rights voices remain suppressed.

The Confederation of Productive Forces Trade Unions (CTUF) did not limit itself to condemnation; rather, it announced its intention to organize a protest movement in Geneva, the headquarters of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to expose these repeated violations. This step demonstrates the courage of Algerian unions in confronting repression and confirms that their steadfastness will not be broken by policies of intimidation.

Urgent appeal: No to international silence!

In light of this tragic situation, we call on the international community and human rights organizations to take immediate action. The world's silence in the face of these violations will be unacceptable.

The Algerian government must be pressured by all means to halt these repressive practices, immediately release Ali Mammeri, and reveal his fate and that of all prisoners of conscience.

We refuse to allow Algeria to be a battleground for human rights violations, and we refuse to allow union activists to be imprisoned simply for defending workers' rights. Ali Mammeri's case is the case of all who believe in freedom and justice, and we will not allow it to be buried in oblivion.