News from the Region

The crisis intensifies in Tunisia despite the concessions of president Ben Ali

Friday, 14 January 2011 20:17

The situation in Algeria has calmed down, but the crisis in Tunisia has worsened. Demonstrations continue despite the concessions of president Ben Ali. After having promised 300,000 new jobs, dismissed the minister of the internal affairs, changed the head of the army and ordered the release of the demonstrators who had been arrested, on Thursday the head of state announced the end of gun fire on civilians, the end of Internet censure and his own departure from power in 2014. But the demonstrators hostile to president Ben Ali continue in the centre of Tunis which has been affected by violence for several days following on from other cities in the country.

Outbursts of violence in Tunisia and Algeria

Tuesday, 11 January 2011 11:17

Tunisia and Algeria are gripped with violence in the beginning of 2011. The starting points for the violence were different for each country but the basic motivation is the same: lack of confidence, uncertainty in a future for young people without any real reason to believe.

4 Kabyle Christians condemned to 2 to 3 month prison sentences

Tuesday, 21 December 2010 20:31

The Larbaâ Nath Irathen tribunal, near Tizi Ouzou, has convicted four Christians accused of having opened a non-Muslim place of worship without autorisation. 2 months suspended (meaning that no prison time will be done) for three of them: Abdenour, Idir et Nacer; the fourth, Mahmoud is also being sued for having lodged a foreigner without first having let the appropriate authorities know, was given 3 months suspended and a 10,000 Dinar fine (about 100 Euros).

Algeria : threat of prison for 4 Kabyle Christians

Monday, 06 December 2010 21:42

Four Christians who were tried at the Larbaâ Nath Irathen Tribunal (near Tizi Ouzou) on 28 November will know their fate 12 December. The verdict has been delayed until that date.

The four men Abdenour, Idir, Mahmoud and Nacer are accused of having opened a non-Muslim place of worship without the autorisation from the national comission for worship services. One of these men is also being sued for having housed a foreigner without first informing the appropriate authorities.

Algeria Building dispute

Friday, 03 December 2010 19:39

On Tuesday 30 November the president of the Algerian Protestant Church (EPA), Mustapha Krim, was able to take possession of a building which used to be occupied by the Reformed parish of Alger.

Since 2007 EPA proclaimed its right to this property, and the affair was the subject of a long legal battle.

The reformed parish of Alger has no longer any place to meet. Its statuts had been accepted according to the new Algerian legislation on non-Muslim organisations and religious meetings, but without the final approval of the competent government minister.

EPA represents about 50 Evangelical protestant Churches. Several of these have been forced by the authorities to close their doors because of lack of official recognition.

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