Algeria’s Minister of Justice, Abderrachid Tabi, has addressed the sensitive issue of capital punishment, particularly in cases involving the abduction of children. The Minister’s comments came in response to concerns raised by a member of the People’s National Assembly regarding the application of the death penalty for those convicted of such heinous crimes.
Minister Tabi affirmed that the death penalty remains enshrined in Algerian law for specific, grave offenses. These include premeditated murder, child abduction, and drug-related crimes. He emphasized that judicial authorities issue sentences, including the death penalty, based on the specific circumstances and severity of each case.
Those sentenced to death are subject to specific regulations within correctional facilities, as outlined in Law No. 04-05, dated February 6, 2005, concerning the organization of prisons and the social reintegration of inmates. These regulations include housing in highly secure wings and segregation from the general prison population.
However, the Minister also clarified the reasons behind the moratorium on the death penalty’s execution. He explained that Algeria, in accordance with international conventions, made a political decision in 1993 to suspend executions. This stance, he noted, represents a middle ground between those advocating for the penalty’s enforcement and those calling for its complete abolition – a position increasingly prevalent globally, with many questioning its effectiveness as a deterrent.
Regarding preventative measures against such crimes, Minister Tabi highlighted Algeria’s significant progress in modernizing and humanizing the prison sector, rehabilitating inmates, and promoting their social reintegration. He cited collaboration with national associations that visit prisons, assess conditions, and implement treatment programs addressing issues such as addiction, deviancy, and violence, which have demonstrated tangible success.
The Minister emphasized that the Algerian legislature, like many others worldwide, has established various bodies tasked with upholding and implementing penal policy through legal frameworks that enable them to fulfill their mandates. He also mentioned the creation of new institutions dedicated to supporting victims and preventing crime.
