Event Summary
On 16 March 2026, the Algerian authorities carried out the closure and the sealing of the premises of headquarters of the association SOS Disparus in Algiers. According to the information reported by the press and by the association, the operation was carried out in pursuant to an administrative decision dated 12 March 2026, citing a lack of administrative authorisation it never received. SOS Disparus, a branch of the Collective of Families of the Disappeared in Algeria, has for many years been supporting the families of victims of enforced disappearance, documenting cases and advocating for the right to truth and justice. The closure of these premises directly affects a space for meetings, documentation, mutual support and remembrance that is particularly symbolic for the families concerned. This event represents a serious setback for the enabling environment for civil society in Algeria, as it affects a long-standing human rights organisation working on an extremely sensitive and emblematic issue.