Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. Specialized Units of the Algerian Police Force

The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017 states that the National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie nationale), which performs police functions outside of urban areas, and the Directorate General for National Security (Direction générale de la sécurité nationale, DGSN), or "national police," share responsibility for maintaining law and order in Algeria (US 20 Apr. 2018, 4). Similarly, the GlobalSecurity.org website states that the National Gendarmerie is responsible for maintaining public order in villages, municipalities, and rural areas (GlobalSecurity.org n.d.). Further information on the DGSN's role could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

1.1 Special Intervention Group (Groupe d'intervention spécial, GIS)

A report by the French Centre for Intelligence Research (Centre français de recherche sur le renseignement, CF2R) [1] on Algerian special forces and intervention groups states that the GIS was created in 1987 and has 300 members, who have [CF2R English version] "all undergone extensive commando training and have been trained in counterterrorism interventions by the best Western and Russian units" (CF2R Jan. 2013). The same source adds that the GIS is an [CF2R English version] "elite unit for exceptional missions" under the Department of Intelligence and Security (Département du renseignement et de la sécurité, DRS) (CF2R Jan. 2013). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to sources, the GIS was disbanded in 2015 (Algérie Focus 10 Aug. 2015; Orient XXI 18 Jan. 2016).

1.2 Special Intervention Detachment (Détachement spécial d'intervention, DSI)

According to the CF2R, the DSI was created on 27 August 1989 and is affiliated with the Algerian National Gendarmerie (CF2R Jan. 2013). The DSI specializes in the [CF2R English version] "neutralization of dangerous criminals (terrorists, criminals and madmen)," and its members, nicknamed "'ninjas'," wear black uniforms and balaclavas (CF2R Jan. 2013). The National Gendarmerie website also indicates that, in addition to its traditional mission of maintaining public order, the DSI is responsible for:

[translation]

• participating in judicial police operations;
• escorting and transferring dangerous detainees;
• providing personal protection and escort for prominent figures. (Algeria n.d.a)

1.3 Security and Intervention Sections (Sections de sécurité et d'intervention, SSI)

The website of the Algerian National Gendarmerie, to which the SSI are affiliated, states that the role of the SSI is to [translation] "carry out permanent and ongoing security actions" in areas where there is insecurity and crime in order to [translation] "maintain order and ensure a deterrent effect by their presence" (Algeria n.d.b). The same source adds that this preventive function is supplemented by [translation] "strong responses tailored to the most unpredictable situations, in order to protect people and property, restore order or suppress any attempt to attack citizens" (Algeria n.d.b). Further information on the SSI could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

1.4 Republican Security Units (Unités républicaines de sécurité, URS)

The DGSN website states that the functions of the URS are as follows:

• Maintain and restore public order;
• Provide security and protection to public buildings;
• Participate [translation] "alongside other security services in largescale police operations in the fight against organized crime and against any form of attack on national defence" (Algeria 21 July 2012).

Further information on the URS could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

1.5 Research and Intervention Brigades (Brigades de recherche et d'intervention, BRI)

According to Algérie Focus, an Algerian French-language online magazine, the BRI are an [translation] "elite force in the fight against terrorism and organized crime" (Algérie Focus 14 Sept. 2014). Similarly, the Algerian daily newspaper Réflexion reports that the BRI are [translation] "the boots on the ground in fighting crime and managing crowds" (Réflexion 24 July 2016). Algérie Focus adds that the training of BRI police officers includes [translation] "counterterrorism exercises, [and] simulations of arrest or crisis response" (Algérie Focus 14 Sept. 2014). Further and corroborating information on the BRI could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Treatment of the Population by Police Forces

Information on the treatment of the population by the units mentioned in the preceding section could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2.1 At Demonstrations

In its 2005 Countries at the Crossroads report, Freedom House states that there are "numerous" reports of gendarmes, riotcontrol police and security forces using excessive force to break up both authorized and unauthorized demonstrations (Freedom House 2005). Similarly, the summary prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Algeria states that, according to the Independent Youth for Change Movement (Mouvement de la jeunesse indépendante pour le changement en Algérie or Mouvement des jeunes indépendants pour le changement, MJIC) [2], [UN English version] "in general, persons demanding their social rights suffered violence from the police and harassment from the administration" (UN 12 Mar. 2012, para. 31).

Sources report that Algerian security forces killed [more than 50 (US 4 Mar. 2002)] or [more than 80 (US 4 Mar. 2002; Amnesty International 2002, 30)] civilians and injured hundreds of others during demonstrations in the Kabylia region in the spring and summer of 2001 (US 4 Mar. 2002) or in April, May and June 2001 (Amnesty International 2002, 30). US Country Reports 2001 states that "many" demonstrators burned and looted government buildings, political party offices and public and private property (US 4 Mar. 2002). Sources add that security forces or gendarmes reportedly fired live ammunition into a crowd to disperse it (US 4 Mar. 2002; Amnesty International 2002, 30), including during demonstrations and riots that took place from 22 to 28 April 2001 following the death of a student while in custody, killing at least 45 people and injuring others (US 4 Mar. 2002). Without providing further details on the timing of the incident, the Amnesty International annual report for 2001 notes that gendarmes reportedly shot demonstrators in the back "after dispersing them using tear gas" during the demonstrations and riots (Amnesty International 2002, 30). The same source adds that "in several instances," protesters were reportedly followed to their homes and killed inside (Amnesty International 2002, 30).

According to the Amnesty International report, "dozens of civilians, including children as young as 15," were reported to have been tortured or subjected to ill-treatment after being arrested at demonstrations (Amnesty International 2002, 30). According to the same source, they were beaten with fists, batons, or rifles, and some were reportedly stripped and threatened with sexual violence while in the gendarmerie's custody (Amnesty International 2002, 30). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Radio France internationale (RFI) reports that, during a demonstration in Algiers on 14 June 2001, there were [translation] "violent clashes" between law enforcement officials and demonstrators, when police used [translation] "intense teargas grenade fire [and later] live ammunition on demonstrators attempting to set up barricades" (RFI 14 June 2001). The same source adds that two Algerian journalists were killed, and more than 400 wounded were admitted to Moustapha [Mustapha] hospital (RFI 14 June 2001). RFI also reports that, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP), some of the injured individuals were pursued by the police right onto hospital grounds (RFI 14 June 2001). Similarly, on 15 June 2001, the BBC reported that, in addition to the two journalists who were killed at the event, "at least" 100 people were injured, and that this number was higher according to unofficial reports (BBC 14 June 2001). The same source adds that "[s]everal people were reportedly injured when riot police opened fire with live ammunition on looters in the port area" of Algiers (BBC 14 June 2001).

In the UPR for Algeria, the MJIC reports, without adding further details, that after [UN English version] "violent riots" erupted in several parts of the country on 5 January 2011, "multiple" arrests were made by the police and "many of the demonstrators" were subjected to "illtreatment in police stations" (UN 12 Mar. 2012, para. 31).

Sources report that on 28 February 2015, as part of a campaign against shale gas exploitation in In Salah, there were [translation] "violent" clashes between security forces and demonstrators (TSA 28 Feb. 2015; International Crisis Group 21 Nov. 2016, 17). The same sources report that tear gas was used by the gendarmes (TSA 28 Feb. 2015; International Crisis Group 21 Nov. 2016, 17). According to witnesses interviewed by the International Crisis Group, live ammunition was also fired by the gendarmerie, [International Crisis Group English version] "wounding three protestors seriously" (International Crisis Group 21 Nov. 2016, 17).

2.2 Treatment During Arrest and Detention

US Country Reports for 2015 to 2017 state that, despite the fact that the law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, the authorities have sometimes used vaguely worded legislative provisions such as "inciting an unarmed gathering" or "insulting a government body" to arrest and detain individuals considered to be disturbing the peace or critical of the government (US 13 Apr. 2016, 8; US 3 Mar. 2017, 7; US 20 Apr. 2018, 6). In its World Report 2013, Human Rights Watch reports that in 2012 the Algerian authorities [Human Rights Watch English version] "heavily" restricted freedom of assembly by using preemptive techniques such as arrests to "prevent public protests even from getting under way, especially when the purpose of the demonstration was considered politically sensitive" (Human Rights Watch Jan. 2013).

US Country Reports for 2000 to 2004 note that there have been reports of police abuse and "torture" of detainees (US 23 Feb. 2001; US 4 Mar. 2002; US 31 Mar. 2003; US 25 Feb. 2004; US 28 Feb. 2005). According to US Country Reports 2003, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) noted a decrease in the number and severity of cases of "torture," although the ICRC did not have access to military prisons (US 25 Feb. 2004). In a report on the practice of [Amnesty International English version] "torture" by Algerian military security forces published in 2006, Amnesty International similarly reports that "there has been a decrease in reports of torture and other ill-treatment in the custody of police and gendarmerie" (Amnesty International 10 July 2006, 2).

Sources report that, on 14 May 2004, gendarmes intervened in T'kout, where riots broke out following the death of a 19-year-old man, adding that more than 120 people, including minors, were arrested and taken to gendarmerie premises, where they were subjected to [translation] "torture" (Algeria-Watch 5 June 2004; Le Matin d'Algérie 14 May 2014). In describing the events, Le Matin d’Algérie, an Algerian news website (Le Matin d’Algérie n.d.), states that [translation] "detainees were systematically insulted, taunted, slapped, stripped and beaten on all parts of the body; there is incontrovertible testimony of sodomy by the gendarmes on young detainees" (Le Matin d'Algérie 14 May 2014). Similarly, Algeria-Watch, a website dedicated to the human rights situation in Algeria, states the following:

[translation]

Taken to the premises of the gendarmerie of T'kout, the young people arrested were subjected to physical and mental torture: after being beaten with a baton, they were stripped and lined up along the wall to be sodomized. Many suffered broken bones. Some were forced to pray naked. They were subjected to hate speech, insults and humiliation—including threats against their mothers and sisters. They were then forced to sign minutes from imaginary hearings. (Algeria-Watch 5 June 2004)

The Collective of the Families of the Disappeared in Algeria (Collectif des familles de disparus en Algérie, CFDA) [3] and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme, L'Observatoire) [4] report the case of Yacine Zaïd, a trade unionist and human rights defender who was stopped by the police on 1 October 2012 during a bus trip, brought to the police station and interrogated (CFDA Apr. 2013, 45; L'Observatoire 10 Oct. 2012). According to the CFDA, he [translation] "received severe blows to the face and neck from three police officers" (CFDA Apr. 2013, 45), while the Observatory reports that he was "manhandle[d], threaten[ed], insult[ed] and slap[ped]" by the police (L'Observatoire 10 Oct. 2012). The sources report that Zaïd received a sixmonth suspended prison sentence and a fine of 10,000 dinars [approximately C$111] for [translation] "disrespecting a law enforcement official" (CFDA Apr. 2013, 45; L'Observatoire 10 Oct. 2012). The Observatory asserts that Zaïd's arrest, pre-trial detention and conviction are [translation] "arbitrary" and that they "are intended only to intimidate and punish him because of his human rights advocacy activities" (L'Observatoire 10 Oct. 2012).

In a joint statement issued on 6 December 2013, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), an NGO that advocates for human rights and the rule of law (ICJ n.d.), and Amnesty International report that an individual accused of the murder of political activist Ahmed Kerroumi, was allegedly subjected to [ICJ and Amnesty International English version] "torture and other ill-treatment … during his interrogation in police facilities between 12 and 17 May 2011" so that he would "confess" to the killing (ICJ and Amnesty International 6 Dec. 2013). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] The French Centre for Intelligence Research (Centre français de recherche sur le renseignement, CF2R) is an [translation] "independent think tank" whose objectives are to develop "academic research and publications devoted to intelligence and international security, [provide] expertise for the benefit of public policy stakeholders (decision-makers, administration, parliamentarians, media, etc.), [and] demystif[y] intelligence and explai[n] its role for the general public" (CF2R n.d.).

[2] The Independent Youth for Change Movement (Mouvement des jeunes indépendants pour le changement, MJIC) is a group that brings together [translation] "leading [Algerian] social network groups" (El Watan 4 Feb. 2011). It was created in 2011 and its main demands are [translation] "the lifting of the state of emergency and opening of the media, politics and non-profit sectors" with the aim of "'changing the regime and establish[ing] a true democracy'" (El Watan 4 Feb. 2011).

[3] The Collective of the Families of the Disappeared in Algeria (Collectif des familles de disparus en Algérie, CFDA) is an organization whose main objectives are [translation] "establishing a process at the national level for determining the truth on a case-by-case basis regarding the fate of the disappeared and of all victims of the conflict in Algeria in the 1990s, gaining access to full and complete restitution for victims, and preventing recurrence of the crime of forced disappearance" (CFDA n.d.). The CFDA is also concerned with other violations of human rights such as freedom of association, expression and assembly (CFDA n.d.).

[4] The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme) is a joint program of the World Organisation Against Torture (Organisation mondiale contre la torture, OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’homme, FIDH), created in 1997 with the goal of providing various types of support to human rights defenders around the world (L'Observatoire n.d.).

References

Algeria. 21 July 2012. Direction générale de la sûreté nationale (DGSN). "L'unité républicaine de sécurité." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Algeria. N.d.a. Gendarmerie nationale. "Unités spécialisées : le Détachement spécial d'intervention." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Algeria. N.d.b. Gendarmerie nationale. "Unités spécialisées : Section de sécurité et d'intervention." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Algeria-Watch. 5 June 2004. "La torture au cœur du système de pouvoir en Algérie." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Algérie Focus. 10 August 2015. Essaïd Wakli. "DRS / Des changements et des interrogations." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Algérie Focus. 14 September 2014. "Vidéo. Lorsqu'une unité d'élite algérienne retient l'attention de la télévision chinoise." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Amnesty International. 10 July 2006. Des pouvoirs illimités : la pratique de la torture par la sécurité militaire en Algérie. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Amnesty International. 2002. "Algeria." Report 2002. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 14 June 2001. "Heavy Casualties in Algiers Clashes." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Centre français de recherche sur le renseignement (CF2R). January 2013. Éric Denécé. "Forces spéciales et groupes d'intervention antiterroristes algériens." Bulletin de documentation no 5. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Centre français de recherche sur le renseignement (CF2R). N.d. "Présentation du CF2R." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Collectif des familles de disparus en Algérie (CFDA). April 2013. Le régime algérien à l'épreuve des droits de l'homme. L'illusion du changement. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Collectif des familles de disparus en Algérie (CFDA). N.d. "Qui sommes-nous?" [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

El Watan. 4 February 2011. Nina Sellès. "Naissance du Mouvement des jeunes indépendants pour le changement." [Accessed 20 Nov. 2018]

Freedom House. 2005. "Algeria." Countries at the Crossroads 2005. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

GlobalSecurity.org. N.d. "Algeria - Gendarmerie Nationale." [Accessed 20 Nov. 2018]

Human Rights Watch. January 2013. "Algérie." Rapport mondial 2013. [Accessed 20 Nov. 2018]

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). N.d. "À propos." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and Amnesty International. 6 December 2013. "Des allégations de torture ternissent le procès du meurtre d'un militant politique." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

International Crisis Group. 21 November 2016. Sud de l'Algérie : turbulences à l'horizon. Middle East & North Africa Report No. 171. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Le Matin d'Algérie. 12 May 2014. "10 ans après Mayu Aberken, Tkout n'a rien oublié." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Le Matin d'Algérie. N.d. "Qui sommes-nous?" [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

L'Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme (L'Observatoire). 10 October 2012. "Algérie : Libération de Yacine Zaïd, mais les peines de prison avec sursis à l'encontre des défenseurs se multiplient." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

L'Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme (L'Observatoire). N.d. "L'Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Orient XXI. 18 January 2016. Yassine Temlali. "Algérie. Retour à une présidence régalienne, avec un président impotent." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 14 June 2001. Elio Comarin. "Répression violente d'une marche historique." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Réflexion. 24 July 2016. "Le GOSP, nouvelle unité d'élite de la police algérienne." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Tout sur l'Algérie (TSA). 28 February 2015. Amine Boumazza. "Affrontements à In Salah : des blessés et des arrestations." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United Nations (UN). 12 March 2012. Human Rights Council. "Algérie." Résumé établi par le Haut-Commissariat aux droits de l'homme conformément au paragraphe 5 de l'annexe à la résolution 16/21 du Conseil des droits de l'homme. (A/HRC/WG.6/13/DZA/3) [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United States (US). 20 April 2018. Department of State. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United States (US). 3 March 2017. Department of State. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United States (US). 13 April 2016. Department of State. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United States (US). 28 February 2005. Department of State. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United States (US). 25 February 2004. Department of State. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United States (US). 31 March 2003. Department of State. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United States (US). 4 March 2002. Department of State. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

United States (US). 23 February 2001. Department of State. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2000. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2018]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Algeria – Direction générale de la sécurité nationale, Gendarmerie nationale; researcher on intelligence and security forces.

Internet sites, including: Asylum Research Centre; ecoi.net; Euromed Droits; European Union – European Asylum Support Office; France – Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides; International Committee of the Red Cross; INTERPOL – Algiers office; IRIN; United Nations – Refworld.