Capital Of Algeria

There were no credible reports during the year of disappearances in which the security forces were implicated. However, local NGOs reported a new trend of prolonged detention ranging from 8 to 18 months that was frequently reported as a disappearance until the person in question was returned to his or her family. These "new" disappearances at the hands of security forces often differed in duration and outcome from the disappearances which occurred in the country during the first half of the 1990s that remained unresolved. These incidents remained contrary to the legal procedures stipulated in the country's penal code and its Constitution. There have been credible reports of thousands of disappearances occurring over a period of several years in the mid-90s, many of which involved the security forces. A Ministry of Interior office in each district accepts cases from resident families of those reported missing. Credible sources state that the offices provided little useful i ... [Read More]

Independent States in the World

of the CongoCGKinshasaCosta Rica *+Republic of Costa RicaCSSan JoséCôte d'Ivoire *+Republic of Côte d'IvoireIVYamoussoukroCroatia *+Republic of CroatiaHRZagrebCuba +Republic of CubaCUHavanaCyprus *+Republic of CyprusCYNicosiaCzech Republic *+Czech RepublicEZPragueDenmark *+Kingdom of DenmarkDACopenhagenDjibouti *+Republic of DjiboutiDJDjiboutiDominica *+Commonwealth of DominicaDORoseauDominican Republic *+Dominican RepublicDRSanto DomingoEast Timor *+Democratic Republic of Timor-LesteTT ... [Read More]

Pillar Programs

This initial program of technical assistance will help strengthen the financial systems of Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan with the aim of promoting investment and employment growth in these countries. This is an essential precursor to promoting broad-based economic development in the region. Areas of focus will include the condition of the overall banking system, the adequacy of bank supervision, the state of capital markets, and factors limiting each financial system's responsiveness to the needs of SMEs and the broader population. In addition to laying the foundation for future working relationships with key local counterparts, the organizers will use these missions to develop recommendations for broader programs of technical assistance. ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Algiers, the capital of Algeria, is one of Africa's largest urban areas. Originally planned for 750,000 people, it now teems with almost three million inhabitants.Approximately 1,000 Americans reside throughout Algeria and are principally employed in the hydrocarbon sector, working primarily in Algiers and Hassi Messaoud. Public InstitutionsLast Updated:  7/6/2005 7:39 AM Algeria’s parliament is bicameral consisting of the National People’s Assembly with 389 members (changed from 380 after the 2002 elections) who are elected by popular vote to serve [Read More]

Algeria

U.S. Department of State [Read More]

Algeria

Islamic (Shari'a) law does not recognize conversion from Islam to any other religion; however, conversion is not illegal under civil law. Conversions from Islam to other religions are rare. Due to safety concerns and potential legal and social problems, Muslim converts practice their new faith clandestinely (see Section III). Non-Islamic proselytizing is illegal, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Commerce all must approve the importation of large quantities of non-Islamic literature for widespread distribution. Restrictions on the importation of Arabic and Berber translations of non-Islamic texts are enforced periodically. Personal copies of the major works of other religions, such as the Bible, may be brought into the country. Occasionally such works are sold in local bookstores in Algiers, and in general non-Islamic religious texts no longer are difficult to find. Non-Islamic religious music and video selections ... [Read More]

Algeria

The Constitution declares Islam to be the state religion and prohibits discrimination by providing various individual liberties. Though the Constitution does not specifically prohibit discrimination based on religious belief, the Government generally respects religious freedom in practice; however, there were some restrictions. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. Islam is the only state-sanctioned religion, and the law limits the practice of other faiths, including prohibiting public assembly for purposes of practicing a faith other than Islam. However, the Government follows a de facto policy of tolerance by allowing, in limited instances, the conduct of religious services by registered, non-Muslim faiths in the capital, which are open to the public. The Government continues to require religious organizations to register; ... [Read More]

Algeria (12/04)

Faced with the real possibility of a sweeping FIS victory, the National People's Assembly was dissolved by presidential decree on January 4,1992, and on January 11, under pressure of the military leadership, President Chadli Bendjedid resigned. On January 14, a five-member High Council of State was appointed by the High Council of Security to act as a collegiate presidency and immediately canceled the second round of elections. This action, coupled with political uncertainty and economic turmoil, led to a violent reaction on the part of the Islamists. A campaign of terror in the country, including assassinations, bombings, and massacres, commenced. On January 16, Mohamed Boudiaf, a hero of the Liberation War, returned after 28 years of exile to serve as Algeria's fourth president. Facing sporadic outbreaks of violence and terrorism, the security forces took control of the FIS offices, in early February, and the High Council of State declared a state of emergency. In March, following a ... [Read More]

Algeria

January 19, 2005 This Travel Warning is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in Algeria.  This Travel Warning is being reissued without change following a periodic review.  The overall security environment remains dangerous, especially in the Sahara regions.  However, the situation has improved and the Embassy is gradually lifting the restrictions it has placed on its employees.  This supersedes the Travel Warning of July 15, 2004. [Read More]