The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 29th Ordinary Session in Tripoli, the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, from 23rd April to 7th May 2001:
Noting the recent upsurge of violence in the Kabylia region of north-east Algeria where some 50 people are reported to have died and scores of others injured or arrested. The riots were sparked by the death of a student, Guermah Massinissa while held at a police station on 18th April 2001;
Encouraged by the announcement by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Monday 30 April 2001 of the establishment of a national commission of inquiry to bring light into the circumstances of the events and also the establishment of a Parliamentary Commission of Enquiry;
Mindful of its obligations in terms of the African Charter “to promote human and peoples’ rights and ensure their protection” and especially conscious of the rights in the Charter to enjoy the rights and respect to economic, social and cultural development;
Recalling its Resolution on the rights of Indigenous Populations/Communities and the establishment of a Working Group to propose appropriate mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous populations/communities in terms of the Charter;
Inspired by the leadership of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Africa and the hopes his democratic election aroused in 1998 for an end to sectarian violence, the establishment of human rights, good governance and security as well as the end to impunity especially within the security forces;
Satisfied that Algeria presented its periodic report, which was examined at the 29th Ordinary Session in Tripoli, the Great Libyan Jamahiriya and commending this country on the measures taken to give effect to the rights, duties and freedoms enshrined in the Charter.
1. Requests the Chairman of the Commission to write to the Government of Algeria and convey its deep concerns of the Commission at the recent events especially as it concerns a vulnerable community;
2. Commends the Government of Algeria on the speedy establishment of a National Commission of Enquiry and also a Parliamentary Commission of Enquiry and seeks the assurance that those responsible for human rights violations will be brought to justice;
3. Offers its good offices to help resolve the human rights problems underlying the disturbances and to send a fact-finding mission to Algeria at the earliest opportunity;
4. Sends condolences to the families of those who died during the tragic events.
Done in Tripoli, 7th May 2001.
