An international call for the release of Kabyle political prisoners

A petition denounces the repression of the Algerian regime. In a context of growing repression in Kabylia, a new international petition has just been launched to demand the immediate release of all Kabyle political and opinion prisoners, victims of arbitrary arrests and sham trials orchestrated by the Algerian military regime.

This initiative, led by the organization Kabyles for Human Rights (KHR), based in the United States, strongly denounces the multiple human rights violations committed against Kabyle activists and citizens, whose only crime is having expressed their opinions, defended their identity, or peacefully claimed their right to self-determination.

The petition highlights that many Kabyle prisoners languish in Algerian jails, victims of Article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, a law described as “liberty-killing,” which equates any peaceful claim with acts of terrorism. According to several testimonies, these arbitrary arrests are accompanied by cases of torture and sexual violence—serious crimes that the Algerian authorities systematically cover up.

The Language of Our Mothers: Kabyle

The petition’s signatories also recall the tragic events of 2021, when Kabylia was ravaged by deadly fires. According to them, these disasters were orchestrated by the Algerian authorities and served as a pretext for an unprecedented wave of repression, leading to the death sentences of 38 Kabyle citizens.

Today, hundreds of men and women are detained in inhumane conditions, deprived of a fair trial. Even their lawyers are harassed and threatened in a judicial system entirely under the control of the military junta.

In their appeal, the initiators of the petition urge the UN, the European Union, the African Union, and all human rights organizations to pressure the Algerian regime to immediately release these political prisoners and repeal Article 87 bis.

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For the Release of All Kabyle Political and Opinion Prisoners

We, the signatories of this petition, are deeply concerned about the fate of hundreds of Kabyle people who have languished for years in Algerian prisons, arbitrarily arrested and sentenced on the basis of false accusations. Their only crime is having publicly shown their political activism, expressed their opinion, or simply published a message on social media.

Even worse, cases of torture and rape have been reported by the victims.

The brutal regime of President Tebboune has implemented a set of repressive laws, notably Article 87 bis of the penal code, specifically targeting the Kabyles, especially those who support or approve the right of Kabylia to self-determination.

In 2021, the bloody forces of the Algerian military dictatorship burned Kabylia and orchestrated the vile murder of a citizen, delivering a final blow to the region by sentencing 38 Kabyle citizens to death.

Currently, hundreds of people are slowly dying in prison, victims of a judiciary controlled by the military, with no fair defense, and their lawyers are harassed and threatened with retaliation.

Algeria tramples on the rights of the Kabyle people, whose very existence is under threat.

Therefore, we urgently call on the UN, the European Union, the African Union, human rights organizations, and all those who care about human dignity, to exert pressure on the Algerian military regime to free all Kabyle political and opinion prisoners and to immediately repeal the infamous Article 87 bis.

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This petition was initiated by Kabyles for Human Rights (KHR)

This petition was initiated by Kabyles for Human Rights (KHR), a non-profit organization based in Pennsylvania, USA. Its mission is to protect human rights worldwide, particularly those of the Kabyle people. It defends the rights and dignity of all individuals, denounces discrimination, and fights injustice.

This petition is sponsored by:

1. Ghilas Ainouche – Kabyle cartoonist
2. Ferhat Mehenni – President of MAK and ANAVAD
3. Yasmina Oubouzar – Human rights activist
4. Aziz Tari – Kabyle cultural and identity activist
5. KHRD – Kabylia Human Rights Defense
6. LKDH – Kabyle League for Human Rights