No information on the risk that Islamic movements pose to members of the National Union of Algerian Women (Union nationale des femmes algériennes -UNFA) could be found in the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints for this Response.

However, an article published in the Algerian magazine Kalimate and cited in the 1996 compilation Dossier d'information sur la situation en Algérie, published by Femmes sous lois musulmanes, states that the emergence of dozens of women's associations in Algeria in 1988-1989 [translation] "reinforced the image of a corrupt UNFA in the pay of the regime and doing little more than making the rounds of diplomatic functions" (Femmes sous lois musulmanes Aug. 1996, 156-157).

A 6 July 1996 Algerian television report states that Fatima Aoufi was elected president of the UNFA at the conclusion of a congress held on 3, 4 and 7 July 1996 in Algiers. At this congress, the delegates elected a national council of 125 members who, in turn, elected a secretariat of nine members under the direction of the Secretary-General, Meriam Bouchnafa.

An 18 February 1995 International Press Service (IPS) report states that the UNFA, [translation] "the women's wing of the National Liberation Front (Front national de libération - FNL)," was the only women's organization that could put forward candidates for the elections and that women who challenged the UNFA hierarchy were excluded from the organization.

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 to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Algerian Television [Algiers, in Arabic]. 8 July 1996. "National Union of Algerian Women Elects Council and Secretary-General." (NEXIS)

Femmes sous lois musulmanes. August 1996, No. 2. Samira Fellah. "Les Associations de femmes algériennes: aller ou ne pas aller à Pékin?". Dossier d'information sur la situation en Algérie. Grabels, France: Femmes sous lois musulmanes.

International Press Service (IPS). 18 February 1995. "Algeria Women: Rally Protests the Murder of Algerian Feminist." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. News releases and Urgent Actions. 1992-1998.

Electronic sources: FBIS, REFWORLD, IRB databases, Internet.