Event Summary
On 29 October 2025, the criminal court of first instance in Oum El Bouaghi sentenced president of National Union of Culture and Art Officials (SNFC) and critical human rights defender Ali Mammeri to 15 years in prison on charges of “glorifying terrorism” and “disseminating classified information via electronic means of communication.” According to Amnesty International, the allegations include private communications with exiled activists and information about retaliatory measures targeting unions, which were later shared in discussions before ILO supervisory bodies. Mammeri also reported ill-treatment in custody, including beatings, forced stripping, and the use of coerced confessions—despite the obligation to investigate such claims. He has filed an appeal. Several organizations (Amnesty International, SHOAA, COSYFOP) argue that this ruling exemplifies the abusive use of anti-terrorism laws to crush peaceful dissent and obstruct independent union activity. The case occurs against a backdrop of broader restrictions targeting human rights defenders and trade unions in Algeria, marking a significant deterioration in the enabling environment for civil society and independent unions.