The Algerian People's National Assembly (APN) will resume its work today with a plenary session dedicated to presenting and examining a draft law modifying and complementing the law on the penal code. The session will include presentations, interventions from parliamentary group leaders, and a response from the government representative. The draft law is set to be voted on next Thursday, along with a bill approving ordinance No. 26-01 on the military justice code.
The Minister of Justice, Lotfi Boudjemâa, recently presented the draft law amending ordinance No. 66-156 on the penal code. Key aspects of the revision include the death penalty and combating organized crime. The proposed changes involve introducing the death penalty for arson and child abduction. This move follows instructions from the President of the Republic after massive fires devastated thousands of hectares and caused deaths and destruction in villages and mountainous areas this summer.
The reintroduction of the death penalty in Algeria will mark the end of a 33-year moratorium. The fires, considered acts of organized crime due to their severity and direct threat to public order, have prompted the government to take a firmer stance. The draft law aims to dissuade serious crimes and protect the nation and its citizens. It proposes the death penalty for those who commit arson, destroy public or private property for foreign parties, or threaten national security, unity, or economic and environmental stability.
The draft law also targets those who finance, incite, or participate in these acts through any means, including social media. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen the protection of children by imposing the death penalty on those who abduct them, with aggravated penalties if torture, sexual assault, or abuse is involved. This move is a response to the spread of such crimes in recent years.
The proposed amendments reflect the government's firm stance on protecting national security and resources after the significant economic and environmental damage caused by the summer fires. The changes aim to reinforce the protection of lives and property, preserve the national economy and environment, and safeguard the country's forest heritage.
The draft law's provisions are designed to be applied rigorously, with aggravated penalties, including the death penalty, for extremely serious crimes such as child abduction, torture, and sexual assault. The government emphasizes that these measures are being implemented while respecting the principles of penal law and individual rights and freedoms.
The voting on the draft law is scheduled for next Thursday, marking a significant development in Algeria's penal code. If passed, the new provisions will contribute to the country's efforts to combat serious crimes and protect its citizens and resources.
Key points
- The Algerian government aims to combat organized crime and protect national security through the proposed amendments to the penal code.
- The draft law includes the reintroduction of the death penalty for certain crimes, such as arson and child abduction.
- The proposed changes are a response to the massive fires that devastated parts of Algeria this summer, causing significant damage and loss of life.
