Algeria – annual report 2023

Details
Published: September 4, 2024

Strategic Framework

Legal Policy Starting Point

The political situation in Algeria was largely stable in the reporting year. The country continues to be an important economic partner for many countries in the European Union thanks to its natural gas exports, meaning that its geostrategic importance is also increasing against the backdrop of Russia‘s ongoing war against Ukraine. At the same time, the economy remains heavily dependent on price fluctuations on the natural gas market with high inflation, which is placing an increasing burden on the population.

Algeria‘s efforts to join the association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS states) by 2024 have failed for the time being.

Political relations between Algeria and Morocco remain tense due to the Western Sahara conflict, but Algeria has offered to help following the severe earthquake in Morocco in September 2023.

As part of the 2020 action plan to promote the rule of law, independence and efficiency of the judiciary, the government is continuing to step up its efforts to reform and modernise the judiciary in general and the commercial judiciary in particular.

Overall Concept

IRZ continues to support Algeria in the implementation of the 2020 Action Plan, focussing on promoting the independence of the judiciary, increasing efficiency, fighting corruption and creating equal and fair access to law and justice for all citizens.

IRZ is working together with the Ministry of Justice and Economic Affairs, the Prison Service, the Judicial College and the Bar Association to implement the reform plans.

In 2023, IRZ and the Algerian judiciary intensified their cooperation, particularly in the areas of “human rights”, “criminal and penitentiary law” and “commercial law”. As part of a regional conference involving various partner states in North Africa, the thematic focus was on the protection and promotion of investments. In the area of the penal system and criminal law, IRZ focused on continuing its long-standing cooperation on the implementation of international standards in the penal system.

Focuses of Activity in 2023

Constitutional Law, Human Rights and their Enforceability

  • Conference on “Practical application of international human rights conventions – human rights protection at judicial level” in Algiers (in-person event)

Civil and Commercial Law

  • Regional conference on “Optimising the investment climate and promoting investment incentives and investment protection” in Tunis in cooperation with the German Federal Bar Association and the Ministries of Justice of Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania (hybrid event)

Criminal and Penitentiary Law

  • Expert discussion on the implementation of international standards in the penal system in Algeria (face-to-face event)

Administration of Justice

  • Participation of the Algerian legal profession in an international study trip to Berlin on “Strengthening legal aid for the protection of vulnerable groups in the justice system” in cooperation with the German Federal Bar Association

Outlook

In 2024, IRZ aims to continue its support for the Algerian judiciary and the reform efforts of the government‘s 2020 Action Plan. The focus will be on intensifying cooperation in the areas of commercial law and criminal and penal law. Consultations in the area of the administration of justice, in particular efficiency of the justice system with regard to shortening the duration of proceedings and modernising and digitalising the administration of justice. When implementing projects, IRZ attaches great importance to promoting South-South cooperation in order to support synergy effects as well as peace and stability in the region. South-South cooperation aims to strengthen cooperation between countries of the global South and promote their development. By sharing resources, knowledge and experience, these countries can learn from each other and jointly find solutions to their similar challenges.