The government evening paper “Horizons” was suspended on 30 May 1995 by the Minister of Communications for “crossing the line of conduct of the State”. The paper had published an article denouncing the shortage of paper in Algeria and accusing those in power of being responsible for “delivering a severe blow to freedom of expression […]
The government evening paper “Horizons” was suspended on 30 May
1995 by the Minister of Communications for “crossing the line of
conduct of the State”. The paper had published an article
denouncing the shortage of paper in Algeria and accusing those in
power of being responsible for “delivering a severe blow to
freedom of expression and pluralism.” The articles in question
never appeared, as the edition of “Horizons” was seized at the
printing press under order from the Minister of Communication.
On 7 June, the Minister of Communication suspended three papers:
the daily “El Ouma” and the weeklies “La Nation” and “El-
Hourriya”. The three papers published an appeal co-signed by the
Front Islamique du Salut (FIS) and eight political parties in
favour of a “people’s assembly”. The Minister of Communication
justified this suspension because of the inclusion of a signature
of a “legally dissolved political party … which is a threat to
order and public security.” “El Ouma” was suspended for fifteen
days, “La Nation” and “El Hourriya” for one month. “La Nation”
was already suspended at the beginning of this year.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Algerian authorities:
immediately lifted
press in Algeria, measures which contravene Algerian press and
freedom of expression regulations
Appeals To
Liamine Zeroual
President of the High Council of State
El Mouradia Presidential Palace
Algiers, Algeria
Fax: +213 2 60 96 18
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
