Information on whether Algerian males who had already completed their two year obligatory military service were re-called to active military service in 1990-1991, and if they were, information on the conditions of the re-call, including units affected, duties, conditions, and duration [DZA18167.E]

Information on the specific subject of a re-call to military service in 1990-1991 could not be found among the sources available to the DIRB. However, Robert A. Mortimer makes a brief reference to the Algerian military for those same years in his article "Algeria: The Clash Between Islam, Democracy, and the Military":

The [Algerian] military high command, however, was stung during the Persian Gulf crisis of 1990-1991, when the FIS [Islamic Salvation Front] criticized the army for not training and dispatching "volunteers" to defend Iraq" (Current History Jan. 1993, 38).

The following material is provided for general information.

The obligatory national military service was legally reduced from 2 years to 18 months on 6 December 1989 by the Algerian National People's Assembly (Algiers Television Service 6 Dec. 1989; The Reuter Library Report 6 Dec. 1989; BBC 1 Nov. 1989). This measure went into effect on 1 January 1990. According to a July 1990 article in Le Monde, however, the duration of military and civilian service in Algeria varies between 6 and 18 months (16 July 1990, 2).

According to a representative for War Resisters' International in London, once the 18 months of military service is completed, soldiers are "liable for a further six months service as reservists" (26 Aug. 1994). A researcher from the Maghreb Team, Middle East Program, at Amnesty International in London stated that although there were "talks of reserve duty earlier this year . . . no one has been called back to do duty until now" (5 Sept. 1994).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Sources

Algiers Television Service [Algiers, in Arabic]. 6 December 1989. "Assembly Reduces Military Service to 18 Months." (FBIS-NES-89-235 8 December 1989, p. 7)

Amnesty International, London. 5 September 1994. Faxed letter from a researcher, Maghreb Team, Middle East Program.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 1 November 1989. "Algerian Cabinet Discusses Reduction of Military Service, Amnesty." (NEXIS)

Current History. January 1993. Robert A. Mortimer. "Algeria: The Clash Between Islam, Democracy, and the Military."

Le Monde. 16 July 1990. "Selon un rapport de l'armée de terre les jeunes Beurs sont mal integrés au cours de leur service militaire." (NEXIS)

The Reuter Library Report. 6 December 1989. BC Cycle. "Algeria Cuts Mandatory Military Service." (NEXIS)

War Resisters' International, London. 26 August 1994. Faxed letter from a representative.

Attachments

Algiers Television Service [Algiers, in Arabic]. 6 December 1989. "Assembly Reduces Military Service to 18 Months." (FBIS-NES-89-235 8 December 1989, p. 7)

Amnesty International, London. 5 September 1994. Faxed letter from a researcher, Maghreb Team, Middle East Program.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 1 November 1989. "Algerian Cabinet Discusses Reduction of Military Service, Amnesty." (NEXIS)

Current History. January 1993. Robert A. Mortimer. "Algeria: The Clash Between Islam, Democracy, and the Military," p. 37-41.

Le Monde. 16 July 1990. "Selon un rapport de l'armée de terre les jeunes Beurs sont mal integrés au cours de leur service militaire," p. 1-2 (NEXIS)

The Reuter Library Report. 6 December 1989. BC Cycle. "Algeria Cuts Mandatory Military Service," p. 2 (NEXIS)

War Resisters' International, London. 26 August 1994. Faxed letter from a representative.

Sources consulted

Amnesty International. January 1991. Conscientious Objection to Military Service.

Constitutiones Africae. 1992.

Constitutions of the Countries of the World. 1990.

Country files (Algeria)

Current History

The Europa World Year Book 1990, 1991, 1992.

L'Express [Paris]

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Reports

Jeune Afrique [Paris]

Libération [Paris]

The Middle East [London]

New Internationalist [Toronto]

News from Middle East Watch [New York]

ODR. Bulletin d'information. "Algerie"

Le Point [Paris]

On-line searches

Oral sources