Moroccan women delegation denied visa to Algeria

A Moroccan delegation invited to take part in a meeting of Maghreban women associations this January 16-17 was denied entry visa to Algeria, Algerian papers reported Saturday.

According to the chairwoman of Algerian association "SOS-femmes en detresse," Meryem Bellbella, Algeria's consulate in Morocco "deliberately impeded" the entry of the Moroccan delegation. The delegation waited for a visa until the last minute, and finally sent a written contribution, she added.

Two hundred copies of the book "Maghreban Book: Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis: Women United against Violence," published in Morocco were blocked by the customs at the airport of Algiers on grounds that it was not authorized by the ministry of culture.

Belbella voiced surprise at the seizure of the book which features studies on violence against women in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.

Participants finally smuggled copies of the book, Belbella was quoted by the daily "El Youm" as saying.