A proposed bill in Algeria aimed at revising the 2012 Law on Associations has sparked concern among human rights organizations, who warn that it could further erode civil society freedoms. The draft legislation retains vague and sweeping terms such as “national constants,” “morality,” and “public order,” which critics argue could be weaponized to arbitrarily deny registration to independent groups or suppress dissenting voices. These ambiguities, they say, leave too much room for interpretation and risk undermining the very foundation of free association.
In addition to its imprecise language, the bill introduces new restrictions that would bar individuals with any criminal conviction from founding or participating in associations. Rights advocates point out that this provision could be used to exclude those targeted by politically motivated prosecutions, effectively silencing activists and dissidents. Another clause requires associations to align with government policies, a stipulation that threatens the independence of civil society and contradicts both Algeria’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations.
The proposed reforms come against the backdrop of Algeria’s increasingly repressive stance toward civic engagement, particularly since the Hirak protest movement of 2019. In recent years, authorities have banned public demonstrations and dissolved prominent organizations such as RAJ and the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights. These actions reflect a broader trend of shrinking civic space and heightened control over public discourse.
Human rights groups are urging Algerian lawmakers to abandon the draft bill and instead pursue genuine reforms that protect freedom of association. They emphasize that a vibrant, independent civil society is essential for democratic governance, transparency, and social progress. As Algeria faces mounting domestic and international scrutiny, the fate of this legislation will serve as a litmus test for its commitment to human rights and political openness.