FIFA President Gianni Infantino Arrives in Algeria for Official Visit Copy link

ALGIERS – Amidst escalating media campaigns targeting Algeria, specifically regarding the issue of religious freedoms, there is a pressing need to highlight the constitutional and legal facts, as well as the lived reality that confirms the Algerian state’s commitment to the principles of tolerance and coexistence.

These campaigns, often based on reports from certain international organizations, coincide with a period of intense Algerian diplomatic activity that reaffirms its openness and respect for religious diversity. This was most notably evidenced by the historic visit of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to the Vatican, where he was received by Pope Leo XIV.

Prior to this visit, three international non-governmental organizations, including Human Rights Watch, addressed a letter to Pope Leo XIV. The letter contained allegations against Algeria regarding a lack of respect for freedom of religion and belief, claiming that legal and administrative restrictions are imposed on religious minorities, particularly followers of Protestant churches. These organizations urged the Pope to pressure Algerian authorities to lift what they termed “arbitrary travel bans” and to respect the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

These claims follow previous reports, such as the U.S. State Department’s inclusion of Algeria on its “Special Watch List” for alleged severe violations of religious freedom.

Constitutional Guarantees and Legal Framework Algeria reaffirms, through its Constitution and laws, the guarantee of the free exercise of religious worship and the protection of places of worship for all citizens without discrimination.

The Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Youcef Belmehdi, previously emphasized that these laws are not merely theoretical texts but are firmly established principles applied on the ground. This is manifested in the protection of places of worship and the provision of appropriate conditions for religious practice, while ensuring respect for the laws of the Algerian state.

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To further this commitment, Algeria established the National Commission for Non-Muslim Religious Worship, an official framework that ensures coordination and consultation to protect religious freedom. This body reflects the state’s will to organize and regulate non-Muslim religious practices in a way that guarantees their rights while maintaining public order.

A Testimony of Coexistence The testimony of Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers, serves as conclusive evidence of the positive reality of religious coexistence in the country. He has stated that “respect is felt and lived daily in Algeria.” Coming from the highest Christian religious authority in the country, this testimony directly refutes the allegations promoted by international organizations regarding the restriction of religious freedoms.

Ultimately, these allegations appear to be part of broader attempts to politicize the human rights file and use it as a tool for pressure against sovereign states, while completely ignoring the clear legal framework and the extensive efforts made by the Algerian state to ensure the rights of all.

ALGIERS– In the wake of the unprecedented and bloody aggression against Lebanon, which has left hundreds of martyrs and wounded, Algeria has condemned in the strongest possible terms the brutal and barbaric Israeli airstrikes targeting various regions of the brotherly Lebanese Republic.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Algeria expressed its full solidarity with the leadership and people of Lebanon during these difficult circumstances.

The statement further called upon the international community to mobilize efforts to put an end to this blatant aggression, which directly targets the sovereignty, security, and stability of the Lebanese Republic. Algeria warned that such actions threaten to drag the entire region back into a cycle of escalation, despite the fact that the parties involved had reached a preliminary agreement regarding the cessation of military operations.

BUENOS AIRES – Norwegian police have expressed growing impatience with the Moroccan government’s lack of cooperation regarding the “Mocro Maffia,” a criminal organization now ranked as one of the most significant threats to the Nordic country. According to Argentine media reports, this diplomatic impasse is stalling the extradition of approximately 20 wanted traffickers.

A specialized security threat assessment in Norway identified the “Mocro Maffia”—which operates extensively within the country—as a “top-tier threat” in the realm of international drug trafficking, as reported by the Argentine news outlet Infobae.

The report clarifies that “approximately 20 Norwegian citizens of Moroccan descent, linked to large-scale drug networks, have sought refuge in Morocco in recent years.” From there, these individuals are reportedly managing criminal operations and smuggling routes targeting the Norwegian market.

Infobae highlighted that the primary obstacle remains the Moroccan “Makhzen’s” refusal to cooperate in this judicial field, a stance that “greatly complicates the process of extraditing these suspects to face justice in Norway.”

In response, Norwegian law enforcement has called for increased diplomatic intervention to pressure Moroccan authorities. The goal is to neutralize the “Mocro Maffia,” which strategically utilizes the Spanish port of Malaga as a primary gateway for smuggling narcotics into the European continent.