{"id":3376,"date":"2026-04-26T11:50:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T10:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cosyfop.ovh\/?p=3376"},"modified":"2026-04-26T17:01:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T16:01:30","slug":"%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%b7%d9%8a%d9%84-%d9%85%d8%a4%d8%aa%d9%85%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%a8-snapap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cosyfop.ovh\/en\/%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%b7%d9%8a%d9%84-%d9%85%d8%a4%d8%aa%d9%85%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%a8-snapap\/","title":{"rendered":"Disruption of the SNAPAP Congress: A Clear Violation of Trade Union Freedom and an Attempt to Undermine Internal Unity"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an official statement, the National Autonomous Union of Public Administration Personnel (SNAPAP) announced the postponement of its national congress<\/a>, initially scheduled for 10, 11, and 12 April 2026 in Algiers, due to the absence of any response from the competent authorities of the Wilaya of Algiers to a duly submitted authorization request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to recall that SNAPAP is affiliated with the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces (COSYFOP), to which it actively contributes in advancing trade union pluralism and defending fundamental workers\u2019 rights in Algeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This administrative silence, which the union\u2019s legal counsel considers to amount to an implicit refusal, once again highlights a troubling pattern affecting independent trade union activity in Algeria\u2014where administrative procedures are increasingly used as instruments to obstruct fundamental rights guaranteed by law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Administrative Silence as a Tool of Obstruction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In its statement, the union stressed that the absence of a formal response to a lawful request cannot be viewed in isolation, but rather as part of a recurring pattern aimed at restricting freedom of association. Instead of enabling trade unions to exercise their legitimate right to convene congresses and renew their leadership structures, indirect methods\u2014such as administrative silence\u2014are used to effectively neutralize these rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This situation not only constitutes a breach of domestic legal procedures but also runs counter to Algeria\u2019s international obligations, particularly those relating to trade union freedoms as enshrined in International Labour Organization conventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Broad-Based Congress Reflecting a Genuine Dynamic of Unity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The seriousness of this obstruction is further underscored by the context in which it occurs. According to SNAPAP\u2019s statement, the congress was set to bring together a broad and diverse group of participants, with 78 delegates registered\u2014including 30 women\u2014alongside 21 observers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Significantly, 38 of these participants are officials representing federations affiliated with the wing led by Belgacem Felfoul, reflecting a genuine willingness to overcome past divisions and build a consensual path within the union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This alone undermines any administrative justification and confirms that what is being obstructed is not merely an organizational event, but a substantive internal process aimed at rebuilding trade union unity on democratic foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double Standards: Endorsing Practices in Violation of the Law<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the congress is being obstructed, the authorities continue to recognize Belgacem Felfoul as Secretary-General for a sixth term, in clear violation of Law No. 23-02, which strictly limits mandates to two terms under Article 56.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This contradiction\u2014blocking a unifying congress on the one hand, while legitimizing unlawful practices on the other\u2014amounts to direct interference in the internal affairs of the union and raises serious concerns regarding respect for trade union independence in Algeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Implications Beyond the National Framework<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The measures announced by the congress preparatory committee\u2014particularly the referral to International Labour Organization bodies and United Nations mechanisms\u2014underscore the gravity of the situation. What began as an administrative issue has now evolved into a matter engaging Algeria\u2019s international human rights obligations, especially the right to freedom of association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Referring the case to the Committee on Freedom of Association, the Committee of Experts, and the UN Special Rapporteur signals that these practices may be brought forward internationally as a representative case of restrictions on trade union activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between Obstruction and Trade Union Resolve: The Confederation\u2019s Position<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this context, the President of the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces, Raouf Mellal, expressed full solidarity with SNAPAP, describing the situation as \u201ca serious violation of trade union freedom and blatant interference in the internal affairs of an independent union.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cObstructing a unifying congress of this magnitude, at a pivotal moment marked by a genuine internal dynamic of unity within SNAPAP, can only be understood as an attempt to derail efforts to rebuild a strong and independent trade union organization.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

He further emphasized that the confederation, together with its affiliated unions, will continue to pursue this matter at both national and international levels, and will take all necessary steps to defend SNAPAP\u2019s right to hold its congress freely, without administrative or security interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This position reaffirms that trade union solidarity is not merely a political stance, but a concrete commitment to upholding the core principles of trade unionism\u2014independence, internal democracy, and freedom of association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download the statement in Arabic and French<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statement in Arabic <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statement in French<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \ud83d\udcfa Rights and Freedoms Program \u2013 North Africa Channel\n <\/h3>\n\n

\n The President of the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces participated in this program, where he addressed Article 56 of Law No. 23-02 concerning the limitation of trade union mandates.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n He pointed out that this provision has not been applied to Belgacem Felfoul, despite his being in a sixth term, in clear violation of the legal framework governing trade union activity.\n <\/p>\n\n

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