Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Legal Framework

Homosexuality is illegal for both males and females in Algeria (US 19 Apr. 2013, 27; ILGA May 2013, 43). According to Article 338 of Algeria's Penal Code, the penalty for those found guilty of participating in an homosexual act is two months to two years in prison and a fine of 500 to 2,000 Algerian dinars (DZA) [approximately C$6 to C$26(XE 24 July 2013)] (Algeria 2010). If one participant is under 18 years of age, the sentence given to the older participant can be increased to three years imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 DZA [approximately C$129 (XE 24 July 2013)] (ibid.). In addition, Article 333 of the Algerian Penal Code makes provision for a prison sentence of six months to three years and a fine of 1,000 DZA to 10,000 DZA [C$13 to C$129 (XE 24 July 2013)] for acts of [translation] "outrage to public decency" involving "an act against nature with an individual of the same sex" (ibid.).

The website of Kaos GL, a Turkish LGBT rights organization, stated that the Regional Network Against Homophobia, established in May 2011 by sexual minorities' rights groups in the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans and Caucasus, "condemned" Algeria in its first Memorandum for a lack of legislation prohibiting "unfair discrimination or harassment" based on sexual or gender identity (Kaos GL 14 May 2013). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

2. Treatment by Authorities

In their report based on a joint Sweden-Switzerland fact-finding mission conducted in June 2011, the Swedish Migration Board cited the National Consultative Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (Commission nationale consultative de promotion et de protection des droits de l'homme - CNCPPDH), a national Algerian organization for the promotion and protection of human rights (CNCPPDH n.d.), as stating that in Algeria,

[...] LGBTQ issues is a subject considered [t]aboo. However, in practice, it is not tightly restrained by the State, unless minors are involved. There are not many homosexuals that are condemned, and the minority is not sought after by the authorities. (Sweden and Switzerland 20 Jan. 2012, 20)

The Independent, a Ugandan newspaper based in Kampala, noted while reporting on the situation of sexual minorities in Africa that "in Algeria, anyone charged with a homosexual act is liable to up to two years in prison, but people are rarely prosecuted for such offences" (28 Feb. 2012). The Algerian newspaper El Watan also reported that articles 333 and 338 of the Algerian Penal Code are [translation] "rarely applied" (12 Oct. 2012).

Sources cited a report dated 4 May 2013 by the Arabic news website El-Khabar claiming that two young homosexual men from Oran were placed in pre-trial detention on charges of "indecent behaviour and incitement to immorality" after announcing their marital bond on Facebook (El-Khabar 4 May 2013; Prochoix 7 May 2013).

In 2010, the Algerian newspaper L'Expression reported that an imam in the town of Tizi Ouzou who was caught having homosexual relations in a mosque was sentenced to two years in prison (15 Mar. 2010). L'Expression further reported that both the imam and his companion were sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 20,000 dinars [approximately C$258 (XE 24 July 2013)] (15 Mar. 2010). Further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The website of Abu Nawas Algeria (Abu Nawas), a group that describes themselves as Algerian "activists" fighting for LGBT rights (n.d.b), states that victims [translation] "never" report homophobic violence as they are afraid of Algerian authorities and the law (n.d.a). Similarly, the website of Alouen, an organization of young Algerian LGBTs working to improve the situation of sexual minorities in Algeria (n.d.b), states that acts of homophobic violence and rape against LGBT people are not reported for fear of Algerian laws (n.d.a). Further information on the treatment of LGBT people by authorities could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

3. Societal Attitudes

Without providing further details, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 noted that sexual minorities faced societal discrimination:

Some LGBT individuals received violent threats and felt compelled to flee the country. While some LGBT persons lived openly, the vast majority did not, and most feared reprisal from their families or harassment from authorities. (US 19 Apr. 2013, 27)

An article reporting on the lives of three lesbian Algerians published in Algérie-Focus, an electronic Algerian newspaper founded in 2008 and based in Alger and Paris (Algérie-Focus n.d.), observed that homosexuality is still taboo in Algeria and that some Algerians think that there are no homosexuals in Algeria (ibid. 28 Aug. 2012). The article further noted that some lesbians hide their sexuality, fearing rejection by society and their families (ibid.).

The Sweden-Switzerland fact-finding mission report, citing representatives of the Algiers newspaper Liberté, stated that the subject of sexual minorities

is very sensitive and is not discussed in the press. It is hard to live as a[n] homosexual in Algeria, and those who are, generally act very discreetly. Acceptance among families varies. Homosexuals who do not conceal their sexual orientation risk verbal harassment. There are no clubs for homosexuals. (Sweden and Switzerland 20 Jan. 2012, 20)

An article entitled "Being Gay in Algeria Today" dated 13 September 2010 noted that a Cappuccino bar in the Hydra neighbourhood is the "main unofficial ([o]fficially, Algeria has no gay places. Ed.) gay venue" (Gay Maroc 13 Sept. 2010). Corroborating and further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The same article also observed that "the most affluent" gay people go to nightclubs such as the "Pacha nightclub" in Algiers (Gay Maroc 13 Sept. 2010). Similarly, the Algérie-Focus article noted that a number of gay men and lesbians frequent nightclubs in Algiers, including Pacha, the Star Studio and the Hilton (Algérie-Focus 28 Aug. 2012).

The "Being Gay in Algeria Today" article also stated that "[m]any gays live with either their family or their wife" (Gay Maroc 13 Sept. 2010). Similarly, the online news source France24 reported that in Algeria, homosexual men and women marry to [translation] "keep up appearances" (10 Oct. 2012). The Algérie-Focus article reported that according to one of the women interviewed, homosexual girls are often forced into marriage in order to [translation] "keep up appearances" (Algérie-Focus 28 Aug. 2012). According to her, the girls agree to it so as to not be [translation] "the shame of their families" (ibid.).

4. State Protection and Support Services

Information on state protection available to sexual minorities in Algeria could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4.1 Access to Health Care

Abu Nawas noted on their website that access to health care services can be difficult, since health care workers [translation] "do not always act in a professional manner" with homosexual patients (n.d.a). El Watan reported that a young male member of Alouen said it was "impossible" to see a medical professional without knowing their stance on homosexuality (12 Oct. 2012).

4.2 LGBT Groups and Events

The LGBT group Alouen indicates on its website that one of their aims is to provide LGBT people in Algeria with a [translation] "supportive space for exchange and expression" (Alouen n.d.b). Alouen indicates that they try to provide psychological, medical and legal support, however, they only have one medical intern among their members (El Watan 12 Oct. 2012).

The Gays and Lesbians in Algeria online forum (Gays et lesbiennes en Algérie) provides a virtual discussion space for members (ibid.; Gay Maroc 13 Sept. 2010). Algeria also has a lesbian Internet magazine, Lexo Fanzine (El Watan 12 Oct. 2012; Erasing 76Crimes 19 Nov. 2012; Lexo Fanzine n.d.), whose aim is to inform Algerian lesbians and unite them as a community (ibid.).

According to the African news source Afrol News, in 2005, LGBT groups in Algeria have designated the 10 October as a "day of protest" against the criminalization of same-sex relations (Afrol News 13 Oct. 2012). The same source indicates that "each year, the event becomes larger and more visible," while noting that the event was "completely ignored" by the Algerian press (ibid.). On 10 October 2012, the LGBT day was marked by an event during which Algerians were invited to light a candle to demonstrate the existence of the Algerian LGBT community (El Watan 12 Oct. 2012; Erasing 76 Crimes 19 Nov. 2012; France24 10 Oct. 2012). The event is referred to as "TenTen2012" (ibid.; France24 10 Oct. 2012). According to France24, the event was organized by the Alouen association (ibid.). Afrol News reports that celebrating the LGBT day by "[p]ublicly marching in the streets of Alg[i]ers is still out of question for the homosexual minority" (13 Oct. 2012). Cited in a France24 article, a representative of Alouen also said that they "cannot organize a gay pride nor distribute pamphlets" to celebrate the LGBT day (10 Oct. 2012).

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.

References

Abu Nawas Algérie (Abu Nawas). N.d.a. "Lois algériennes." [Accessed 4 July 2013]

_____. N.d.b. "Qui sommes nous?" [Accessed 25 July 2013]

Afrol News. 13 October 2012. "Algerian Gays Lit Candles for Recognition." [Accessed 4 July 2013]

Algeria. 2010. Ministry of Justice. Code Pénal. [Accessed 9 Aug. 2013]

Algérie-Focus. 28 August 2012. Marie-Pier Boucher. "Être lesbienne en Algérie, un crime à cacher." [Accessed 7 August 2013]

_____. N.d. "À propos." [Accessed 7 August 2013]

Alouen. N.d.a. "Textes de loi." [Accessed 4 July 2013]

_____. N.d.b. "Qui sommes-nous?" [Accessed 25 July 2013]

Commission nationale consultative de promotion et de protection des droits de l'homme (CNCPPDH). N.d. "Présentation." [Accessed 1 August 2013]

El-Khabar. 4 May 2013. "Two Gays Face Trial Over Marriage on Facebook in Algeria." Translated by BBC Monitoring Middle East. (Factiva)

El Watan. 12 October 2012. Yasmine Saïd. "Les homosexuels algériens en quête de reconnaissance." [Accessed 4 July 2013]

Erasing 76 Crimes. 19 November 2012. Colin Stewart. "Lively Gay Community in Algeria Gains Visibility." [Accessed 4 July 2013]

_____. N.d. "About." [Accessed 7 Aug. 2013]

L'Expression. 15 March 2010. Kamel Boudjadi. "Deux ans de prison pour l'imam homosexuel." [Accessed 23 July 2013]

France24. 10 October 2012. Assiya Hamza. "Les homosexuels algériens veulent entrer dans la lumière." [Accessed 4 July 2013]

Gay Maroc. 13 September 2010. "Being Gay in Algeria Today." [Accessed 5 July 2013]

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA). May 2013. Lucas Paoli Itaborahy and Jingshu Zhu. "Algeria." State-Sponsored Homophobia: A World Survey of Laws: Criminalisation, Protection and Recognition of Same-Sex Love. [Accessed 24 July 2013]

The Independent [Kampala]. 28 February 2012. " Not Straight." [Accessed 23 July 2013]

Kaos GL. 14 May 2013. "The Regional Network Releases Its First Memorandum!" [Accessed 24 July 2013]

Lexo Fanzine. N.d. "Présentation du Fanzine." [Accessed 7 Aug. 2013]

Prochoix. 7 May 2013. Saïd Khatibi. "Oran: deux homosexuels en prison." [Accessed 24 July 2013]

Sweden and Switzerland. 20 January 2012. Swedish Migration Board and Swiss Federal Department for Justice and Police. The Development in Algeria in the Shade of the Arab Spring, and its Consequences on Migration (Public Version): Report from a Swedish-Swiss Fact-Finding Mission to Algeria, June 11-16, 2011. [Accessed 24 July 2013]

United States (US). 19 April 2013. "Algeria." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012. [Accessed 5 July 2013]

XE. 24 July 2013. "XE Currency Converter." [Accessed 24 July 2013]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact the following organizations and individuals were unsuccessful: Abu Nawas Algérie; Alouen; Commisson nationale consultative de promotion et de protection des droits de l'homme; Ligue algérienne des droits de l'homme; Observatoire algérien des droits de l'homme, professor, University of Calgary. Representatives of the Ligue algérienne pour la défense des droits de l'homme did not respond within the time constraints of this Response.

Internet sites, including: Algeriegay; Amnesty International; ARC International; Commission nationale consultative de promotion et de protection des droits de l'homme; ecoi.net; Factiva; Fahamu Refugee Programme; Freedom House; Gay Law Net; Gays et lesbiennes algériens; Global Gayz; Human Rights First; Human Rights Watch; International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia; International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission; Lexofanzine; Pink News; Le Portail gay d'Algérie; United Kingdom – Border Agency; United Nations – Integrated Regional Information Networks, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld.