(WAN/IFEX) – In a 10 August 2002 letter to Algerian Culture and Communications Minister Khalida Messaoudi, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed their serious concern at the high level of taxes charged on the importation of foreign newspapers and magazines. According to reports, customs duty was raised from five percent to 15 percent on […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 10 August 2002 letter to Algerian Culture and Communications Minister Khalida Messaoudi, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed their serious concern at the high level of taxes charged on the importation of foreign newspapers and magazines.
According to reports, customs duty was raised from five percent to 15 percent on 1 January. This tax rise took the total level of charges on imported publications to more than 25 percent. WAN and the World Editors Forum note that Algeria is in breach of UNESCO’s Florence Agreement, which stipulates that cultural products, such as newspapers, magazines and books, should not be subject to import duty.
The organisations are concerned that the high level of duties levied on foreign publications is deterring publishers seeking to export their newspapers and magazines to Algeria. The effect of such a draconian financial regime is to raise cover prices and to deprive Algerian citizens of their right to be fully informed by a wide range of information sources.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the culture and communications minister:
– noting that Algeria is in breach of UNESCO’s Florence Agreement, which stipulates that cultural products, such as newspapers, magazines and books, should not be subject to import duty
– calling on him to do everything possible to remove import duty on foreign publications and to fully respect international agreements on import tariffs
Appeals To
The Right Honourable Khalida Messaoudi
Minister of Culture and Communications
Algeria
c/o Consulate in London
E-mail: algerianconsulate@yahoo.co.ukPlease copy appeals to WAN.
