Algeria: Threats to Resume Executions After 30 Years Severe Blow to Human Rights

What the report says

Amnesty International has urged Algeria to abandon moves that could expand the death penalty or revive executions after more than 30 years without any. The appeal came as Algerian authorities reviewed proposed changes to the penal code following deadly wildfires in late August that devastated parts of the Kabylie region and other areas in the northeast.

According to the report distributed by AllAfrica from Amnesty International, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune instructed the justice minister on 30 August to amend the law so that arson linked to the fires could again carry capital punishment, including execution after appeals are exhausted. The president also signaled that the same penalty could be applied to alleged child abductors and abusers. Amnesty said the government began examining the draft amendments on 6 September.

The rights group argued that a response centered on executions would conflict with Algeria’s human rights obligations and its long-standing support for global calls for a moratorium. It also said the authorities should instead focus on prevention, emergency preparedness, independent investigations and accountability for all contributing factors, including possible official failures. As context, Algeria has not carried out executions since 1993, though courts still issue death sentences and the penalty was widened in 2025 for some drug-related offences.