Lawmakers during an extraordinary session at the European Parliament on Thursday delivered fiery speeches before overwhelmingly voting in favor of a resolution demanding that the Algerian regime immediately release writer French-Algeria dual national Boualem Sansal and other political prisoners currently detained in Algeria.
Sansal, a vocal critic of the Algerian regime, was arrested on November 16, 2024, upon arriving from Paris at Algiers airport. Initially, he was held incommunicado for six days before being charged under Algeria’s notorious Article 87 bis with “undermining the integrity of the national territory.” Under this vague charge often used to silence dissent, Sansal, who is 75 and in poor health, now faces the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty under Algeria’s so-called “terrorism law.”
By a vote of 533 votes for, 48 abstentions, and 24 against, MEPs from across Europe condemned the Algerian regime’s actions and demanded accountability.
French Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) representative Raphaël Glucksmann called for swift action. He said Sansal’s only “crime” was speaking and writing. He declared, “We are not free as long as Sansal remains behind bars,” because defending the writer’s freedom is “essential” to the broader fight for human rights.
Similarly, Nathalie Loiseau, from Renew Group underscored that “an author’s rightful place is in libraries, not prison cells.” She argued that the detention of Sansal, who exposed the regime’s autocratic tendencies and its ties to extremism, is a “direct attack” on fundamental freedoms.
Other members of the European Parliament linked Sansal’s detention to Algeria’s broader political climate. Christophe Gomart from the European People’s Party Group warned against allowing the Algerian regime to continue intimidating not only its own citizens but also those of European allies.
Austrian deputy Helmut Brandstätter pointed out that Sansal’s case is not isolated. Rather it is part of a “systemic crackdown on dissent,” in which Algeria is “silencing voices critical of the regime.”
The European Parliament resolution also sparked criticism of Algeria’s strained relationship with France. Far-Right French politician Jordan Bardella accused the Algerian government of “defying France” while arresting intellectuals, “manipulating history for political purposes,” and refusing to repatriate its nationals. He said France must “adopt a tougher diplomatic stance to compel Algeria to respect international norms.”
Similarly, MEP Mathieu Valet of RN Party criticized Algeria’s lack of cooperation, highlighting that the regime’s actions undermine both diplomatic efforts and fundamental human rights.
Notwithstanding that Algeria has ramped up its repression of freedom of speech and freedom of religion significantly since 2021—especially against Kabyle Christians, it took the arrest of free-thinker, dual French-Algerian citizen Sansal to get the attention of the European community. But the resolution adopted by the European Parliament goes beyond Sansal’s case.
It condemns Algeria’s arrests of activists, journalists, and human rights defenders. It calls for the immediate release of all those detained for exercising their right to free speech, and asserts that Algeria’s actions violate its international human rights obligations as a signatory of international treaties.
Amnesty International stated recently that Sansal’s case is emblematic of a broader pattern of repression. The organization reported that approximately 300 activists are currently imprisoned in Algeria for expressing dissent, reflecting the regime’s escalating authoritarianism.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who personally granted Sansal French citizenship last year, strongly condemned Algeria’s actions. “The Algeria we hold dear is dishonoring itself by imprisoning a gravely ill writer.” He described Sansal as a “freedom fighter” and called his detention “entirely arbitrary.” Macron said protecting freedom of expression is essential, and urged Algeria to immediately release Sansal.
While the European Parliament’s resolution provides moral support for Sansal and others held in Algeria’s notorious prisons, it also places international pressure on Algeria to respect its human rights obligations. European lawmakers expressed hope that strong international condemnation, coupled with targeted diplomatic efforts, can prevent further injustices and secure Sansal’s release.
The case of Boualem Sansal has become a symbol of the fight against repression in Algeria. The resolution adopted by the European Parliament is not only a call for justice but also a clear message that the international community, at least in certain cases, will not remain silent in the face of egregious human rights violations.