The Algerian government is committed to safeguarding individuals who report corruption, Justice Minister, Lotfi Boujemaa, affirmed this week. He highlighted a series of legal and regulatory measures designed to protect whistleblowers and foster a culture of transparency.
Speaking before the People’s National Assembly on Thursday, Minister Boujemaa emphasized that Algerian law prioritizes the protection of whistleblowers, recognizing them as essential partners in combating corruption and building an honest and transparent society. He outlined both procedural and non-procedural measures in place to ensure their safety and confidentiality.
Non-procedural protections include concealing the whistleblower’s identity, providing a dedicated phone line for communication, and ensuring close physical protection when necessary. Procedural safeguards include omitting the whistleblower’s identity from judicial files, using a pseudonym, and avoiding the recording of their address in official documents and procedures. The Minister also noted the possibility of allowing whistleblowers to testify anonymously to further protect their safety.
DZWatch has learned that Algerian legislation includes specific provisions for crimes that rely on information from whistleblowers, such as smuggling and drug-related offenses. Minister Boujemaa further stated that a regulatory text is being developed to outline mechanisms to incentivize whistleblowing, potentially including financial rewards.
Notably, individuals who report smuggling cases are exempt from prosecution. If they were accomplices in the crime, their punishment is reduced to the minimum if they report the offense before legal proceedings begin. The Justice Minister concluded by emphasizing that reporting corruption is a vital societal value that contributes to establishing principles of transparency and accountability. The state remains committed to providing all necessary legal and security guarantees to whistleblowers in all cases, particularly those related to combating corruption.
