Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The Algerian authorities were on Monday urged by top independent human rights experts to reverse a prison sentence handed down to a poet for supporting widespread protests against the Government.
Djamila Bentouis received a two-year prison sentence and 100,000 Algerian dinars fine (about $750) for participating in the Hirak social protest movement via her songs and poetry recitals.
Initial charges levelled against Ms. Bentouis accused her of belonging to a terrorist entity, UN News reported.
The Hirak demonstrations began in February 2019 - initially against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika - but evolved into demands for political reforms and other freedoms.
The independent experts who include Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, said that the criminal charges against Ms. Bentouis appeared “directly linked” to her wish to exercise her right to freedom of expression.
The experts – who are not UN staff and receive no salary for their work – also expressed their hope that Algeria “will abide by its international obligations to guarantee the right to freedom of expression” when the appeals court considers the case on Wednesday.
-0- PANA MA 1Oct2024
