The arrest of trade unionist Ali Mammeri: a flagrant violation of trade union freedoms and human rights.

In a move that raises concern and condemnation, the brother was exposed Ali Mammeri, head of the National Union of Cultural Employees, was arbitrarily arrested from his workplace in Oum El Bouaghi on the eve of Victory Day. This arrest is part of an unjust campaign targeting union activists fighting to defend the rights of workers and employees. This arrest, carried out without clear legal basis, represents a flagrant violation of union freedoms and human rights, and confirms the ongoing policy of harassment and intimidation against those who advocate for social justice.

Arrest details

According to the statement issued by Confederation of Productive Forces Trade UnionsAli Mammeri was taken from his workplace by men in civilian clothes in a humiliating manner. His home was then unjustifiably searched, and a personal computer was seized. These arbitrary measures were carried out without any convincing legal justification, raising questions about the true motives behind this arrest.

A clear repressive message

This arrest comes at a very sensitive time, as it coincides with the issuance of a report by Committee of Experts of the International Labour Office, which highlights the serious violations suffered by trade unionists in Algeria. The Algerian government also receives official correspondence from ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, requesting information about multiple violations, including the arbitrary transfer of Ali Mammeri after his appointment as head of the National Union of Cultural Employees.

This timing is no coincidence. Rather, it appears to be a clear repressive message aimed at silencing voices calling for social justice and improved conditions for workers in the cultural sector, which has suffered from marginalization and neglect for years. Ali Mammeri's arrest is not merely an individual arrest; it is part of a systematic campaign targeting union activists who speak out in defense of workers' and employees' rights. These practices constitute a flagrant violation of the constitutionally and legally guaranteed freedoms of association, as well as international conventions ratified by Algeria, including International Labor Organization conventions.

An appeal to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for urgent intervention.

In a quick reaction, Confederation of Productive Forces Trade Unions By correspondence president Attached to several state institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defense, the General Directorate of Security, and the monitoring committees of the International Labor Organization, as well as UN rapporteurs and representatives of human rights organizations and international trade union organizations, calling for urgent intervention to secure the immediate release of Ali Mammeri and put an end to these repressive practices. The Confederation also called on all national and international trade union organizations, and all human rights defenders, to stand in solidarity with Ali Mammeri and stand against these violations that undermine the foundations of democracy.

Other options are still on the table.

There are still other options strongly considered, which are requesting the urgent intervention of the Director-General of the International Labour Office, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and the UN rapporteurs. The organization also does not rule out carrying out the first protest movement of its kind in Geneva in front of the International Labour Office and searching for ways to pressure to meet with the High Commissioner for Human Rights so that he can work to resolve the crisis of trade union freedoms facing independent trade union organizations in Algeria. The situation, according to the statement of the organization’s president, Brother Malal Raouf, from Geneva, has become unbearable and unacceptable.

The arrest of Ali Mammeri is a wake-up call, reminding us that the struggle for social justice and workers' rights still faces significant challenges. However, these repressive practices will not deter union activists from continuing their struggle to defend the oppressed and marginalized. We call on everyone to stand in solidarity with Ali Mammeri and stand against these violations that tarnish Algeria's reputation and violate the rights of its citizens.