Algerian representatives reject lifting state of emergency on the country

The 1st house of the Algerian parliament turned down by the majority of votes a motion to lift the state of emergency in the country.

The MPs of the Front of Socialist Forces (FFS, opposition) which sponsored the motion left the parliament premisses to express their disappointment. For the FFS, the decree on the state of emergency harms individual and collective freedoms.

Algerian interior minister, Abdelmalek Sellal, argued that the laws related to the state of emergency conform to the constitution. He added that this measure was a necessity not a choice, in view of the security situation in the country.

The state of emergency was enforced, for the first time, in February 1992, by the late president Mohamed Boudiaf. One year later, the then legislative body, non-elected High State Committee, had decided to extend the state of emergency.