French Algeria
Algeria
Armed terrorists entered private homes either to kill or kidnap residents or to steal weapons, valuables, or food (see Section 1.a.). After massacres that took place in their villages, numerous civilians fled their homes. Armed terrorist groups consistently used threats of violence to extort money from businesses and families across the country. Section 2 Respect for Civil Liberties, Including: a. Freedom of Speech and Press The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and press; however, the Government restricted these rights in practice. The Penal Code imposed high fines and prison terms of up to 24 months for defamation or "insult" of government figures, including the President, members of Parliament, judges, members of the military and "any other authority of public order." Those convicted face prison sentences that range from 3 to 24 months and fines of $715 to 7,150 (50,000 to 500,000 dinars). During the year, at least 96 prosecuti ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
A majority of Algeria's population falls into two ethnics groups, Arab and Berber, with additional populations of Turkish and West African (in the Sahara) origin. Many Algerians are a mixture of Arab and Berber. As of January 2005, the population is estimated at 32.6 million and is expected to increase to 33.2 million by January 2006. The population is 99 % Muslim with a majority in the Sunni sect of Islam. The remaining 1% of the population is Catholic and Jewish. The principal languages are Arabic and French, although only Arabic has status as official language. The Berber language, Tamazight, achieved status as "national language" in 2004. French is still widely used for official and business purposes despite the strong program of Arabization. Few people speak English. [Read More]
France (07/05)
World War I (1914-18) brought great losses of troops and materiel. In the 1920s, France established an elaborate system of border defenses (the Maginot Line) and alliances to offset resurgent German strength. France was defeated early in World War II, however, and was occupied in June 1940. The German victory left the French groping for a new policy and new leadership suited to the circumstances. On July 10, 1940, the Vichy government was established. Its senior leaders acquiesced in the plunder of French resources, as well as the sending of French forced labor to Germany; in doing so, they claimed they hoped to preserve at least some small amount of French sovereignty. ... [Read More]
Press Briefing With Algerian Foreign Minister Belkhadem
FOREIGN MINISTER BELKHADEM: (in French) Thank you very much. I would like to welcome you this evening to this conference. Indeed, after our meeting in New York, I had the opportunity to invite Secretary Powell to visit us in Algeria. This is indeed his first visit to Algeria, and during our conversations we had an opportunity to discuss bilateral issues. Our political relations are at the best that they have ever been. We talked about economic cooperation, technical cooperation between the United States and Algeria. We talked about the upcoming Open Skies Agreement that we will be signing with the United States. We talked about our various investment agreements. We talked about the recent experiences of Algeria, the fact that the United States is supporting Algeria’s accession to the WTO. We talked about various issues in the region, among which the fact that Algeria will soon occupy a seat on the Se ... [Read More]
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
France is a destination country for women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, primarily from Eastern and Central Europe and Africa. The number of Chinese women trafficked to France for sexual exploitation increased in 2004. The government estimates that there are 10,000 to 12,000 trafficking victims in France, 3,000-8,000 of whom are children forced into prostitution and labor. Nigerian trafficking networks continued to expand their activities in France. Trafficking of Brazilian women and girls for sexual exploitation to French Guiana — a French possession — remained a serious problem. The Government of France fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Although the government did not provide full data on investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences, the Secretary of State has ... [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
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Hospitals and clinics in Algeria are available, but are not up to Western standards. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services. Most medical practitioners speak French; English is not widely used. ... [Read More]
Algeria
Algeria is a multi-party republic based on a constitution and a presidential form of government. The head of state is elected by popular vote to a 5-year term. The President has the constitutional authority to appoint and dismiss cabinet members, as well as the prime minister, who acts as the head of the Government. The president also serves as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. President Bouteflika, elected in 1999 in an uncontested election, completed a full term in office, the first president to do so since the adoption of the multi-party system in 1989. In Algeria's first democratic, contested presidential elections, he was re-elected in April from among five other candidates while the military remained neutral. The security apparatus comprises the army, consisting of ground, naval, and air defense forces; the national gendarmerie; the national police; communal guards; and local self-defense forces. All of these elements ... [Read More]
Algeria (12/04)
North African boundaries have shifted during various stages of the conquests. Algeria's modern borders were created by the French, whose colonization began in 1830. To benefit French colonists, most of whom were farmers and businessmen, northern Algeria was eventually organized into overseas departments of France, with representatives in the French National Assembly. France controlled the entire country, but the traditional Muslim population in the rural areas remained separated from the modern economic infrastructure of the European community. ... [Read More]
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