Latest news with #NationalPeople'sAssembly
El Chorouk
15-07-2025
- Business
- El Chorouk
No Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Draft
The Legal Affairs and Freedoms Committee of the National People's Assembly called on the lower house of parliament to vote on the draft on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing in its original form, as presented by the government, without any amendments. The committee emphasised that this step comes within the context of efforts to strengthen national sovereignty and protect the financial system from the risks of cross-border financial crimes. The draft's supplementary report, reviewed by Echorouk, revealed that the committee did not receive any new proposals or amendments from MPs regarding the content of the text, prompting it to retain the original version, which had previously been discussed in the lower house of parliament. The draft law is expected to be put to a vote during the next plenary session, where it is anticipated to receive broad support due to its security and economic nature, particularly in light of the challenges posed by money laundering networks and their connection to illicit financing. The committee affirms its honour in submitting its supplementary report on the draft amending and supplementing Law No. 05-01 of February 6, 2005, on the prevention and combating of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. This report follows a series of thorough discussions in which committee members participated. According to the report, they made extensive efforts to ensure a comprehensive and balanced study that takes into account the provisions of the Constitution and Algeria's international obligations in this vital area. The committee explained that the proposed text had not been subject to any amendments, which, according to it, reflects a consensus and satisfaction among various parties, confirming the maturity of the debate and the clarity of the legislative vision in the field of combating financial crime. In the same context, it called on the House of Representatives to vote on the draft in its original form, contributing to ensuring the protection of national sovereignty and the country's financial security. During the discussion session, MPs previously called for the text not to remain merely a theoretical legal document, but rather to be transformed into an effective tool for practical implementation. They called for the law to be accompanied by training and awareness campaigns targeting economic operators and banking institutions, to spread legal culture and enhance awareness of new mechanisms to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. During their previous discussions on the draft law, several MPs recommended the need to review certain provisions related to the work of associations and non-profit organisations, stressing their essential role in civil society, while ensuring a balance between legal oversight and avoiding restrictions on their activities. The MPs also highlighted the need to simplify the procedures that require institutions to conduct repeated investigations, even for small financial transactions, as they entail bureaucracy with little effectiveness. They called for a more flexible approach that achieves objectives without excessive complexity. In a related context, MPs called for precise definitions of the limits of information exchange with foreign entities, warning of a potential threat to the confidentiality of citizens' financial data, both domestically and internationally, if adequate safeguards are not in place. Algeria is also working to complete all the reforms required to implement the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and remove its name from the grey list, which is associated with money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
El Chorouk
23-06-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Hearings, Field Visits to Draft a Proposal to Criminalise Colonialism
The parliamentary commission at the National People's Assembly, tasked with preparing a draft criminalising French colonialism, continues its series of hearings with historians and researchers. This is part of its work on the national memory issue and the completion of the legislative process aimed at holding France accountable for colonial crimes, based on a comprehensive legal and political approach, as the commission seeks to achieve. According to what Echorouk learned, the commission's work includes scheduling field visits to several wilayas and regions that witnessed serious violations during the French occupation. This will be done to collect field testimonies and official data documenting these crimes. The goal is to develop a legal framework that reflects a renewed societal and political demand to uncover the truth and reject the whitewashing of the colonial past, according to statements made by commission members. On Monday, the commission discussed with history expert Mohamed Doumir in a session devoted to monitoring legal and political interpretations that support the legislative endeavours of this proposal. Meetings will continue in the coming days with specialists and academics from various relevant disciplines, as well as scheduling field visits to several wilayas and organising an official meeting with the Algerian Commission for History and Memory. Over the past weeks, the commission intensified listening sessions that targeted previous initiatives in the field of memory documentation and anti -colonialism, and also looked at the experiences of many countries that have fought similar colonial stages, to benefit from their legal approaches and symbolic steps in imposing recognition, and extracting historical and material compensation. The commission was based, in preparing the law proposal, on archival documents, scientific research, video testimonies and official data that document the various forms of crimes committed by French colonialism in Algeria, including mass massacres, impoverishment, displacement and cultural eradication that targeted the Algerian people for decades. The file also includes, according to parliamentary sources, the crimes related to the nuclear bombings in the Algerian sahara and other issues whose repercussions still exist to this day, in light of an international legal consensus that gives colonial peoples the right to demand recognition and historical responsibility, especially when the effects of aggression are extended throughout time and place. Through these steps, the Parliamentary Commission seeks to overcome the symbolic nature of the file by building a clear legal path that holds France directly a historical responsibility for its severe violations against the Algerian people, whether through genocide or systematic colonial policies that targeted national identity and economic capabilities. Previously, the commission had supervised the organisation of listening sessions for specialists and owners of previous initiatives in the field, and examples of countries that have had similar colonial experiences were found to benefit from their legal mechanisms and symbolic steps in achieving recognition and compensation. This was not yet clear whether the draft would be completed and officially deposited with the Office of the National People's Assembly before the conclusion of the fourth parliamentary session, or if the commission would be postponed until the opening of the next session, after completing the programmed listening sessions and field visits.
Ya Biladi
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco and Algeria allies clash in PARLACEN over Western Sahara issue
The Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) recently became the scene of a diplomatic standoff between allies of Morocco and Algeria. During a plenary session held on May 28 in Panama City, José Antonio Zepeda, vice president of PARLACEN's leftist group and representative of Nicaragua, a country with longstanding ties to the so-called «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)» read out a declaration of support for the «SADR». The text described the entity as the «sole and legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people», claiming it is backed by the African Union and over 80 countries worldwide. The declaration also praised «the diplomatic and political efforts of the Polisario Front, its legitimate political organization», aimed at implementing the 1991 Peace Agreement that calls for a self-determination referendum. It urged the international community to enforce the agreement and allow the Sahrawi people to freely determine their future. The statement, aligned with Algeria's position on the Sahara, drew sharp criticism from Guatemalan lawmakers. On June 12, thirteen PARLACEN members from Guatemala issued a counter-declaration in support of Morocco's territorial integrity. In their response, the MPs expressed «gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco as a friendly state and strategic partner of PARLACEN, committed to peace, development, and cooperation among nations». They also called on PARLACEN's presidency to ensure that institutional statements reflect the legitimate consensus of all members and are not used to promote individual ideological agendas, in order to preserve the forum's credibility and neutrality. The political tug-of-war between Morocco and Algeria-aligned camps within PARLACEN appears to be escalating. This week, a delegation of Nicaraguan MPs who sit in PARLACEN arrived in Algiers for a visit. On Tuesday, they met with Mohamed Khouane, president of the Foreign Affairs, Community Affairs, and Cooperation Committee of Algeria's National People's Assembly (APN). According to the Nicaraguan delegation, the visit aimed to «initiate political and diplomatic dialogue with the Algerian National People's Assembly». The lawmakers were also received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Secretary of State in charge of the Algerian community abroad. Talks reportedly focused on «strengthening friendship and cooperation between Algeria and PARLACEN, with the goal of creating a new dynamic in parliamentary relations and joint initiatives with member states of this regional legislative body», according to a statement by Algerian diplomacy. For context, Algeria's lower house signed a memorandum of understanding with PARLACEN on December 4, 2024, in Panama City. PARLACEN includes six member states: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Algeria also holds observer status in the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) since September 2024. Despite Algeria's push, Morocco enjoys significant support within PARLACEN. On May 2, during a visit to Laâyoune, the body's president, Carlos René Hernández, publicly reaffirmed the Moroccan identity of the Sahara.
El Chorouk
03-06-2025
- Business
- El Chorouk
Sixth Algerian-Italian Summit To Be Held Soon in Rome
The sixth high-level bilateral summit between Italy and Algeria will soon be held in Rome, the Italian Ambassador to Algeria, Alberto Cutillo, said. Ambassador Cutillo emphasised that Algeria 'has been and will remain a distinguished partner for his country.' He described the relationship between the two countries as 'a true friendship that remains alive even in the most difficult moments.' He confirmed that the Italian-Algerian relationship is based on dialogue, mutual trust, shared roots, and a unified vision for the future. He noted that Algeria plays a pivotal role within the framework of the Italian government's Mattei Plan for Africa. The Italian diplomat's announcement was made during a celebration organised by his country's embassy in Algiers on Monday evening to mark the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic, 'Republic Day'. The ceremony was held at the ambassador's residence. It was attended by the Minister of Industry, Sifi Ghrieb, and the Vice-Presidents of the National People's Assembly and the Council of the Nation, Monder Bouden and Rabah Baghali, along with some ambassadors and diplomats accredited to Algeria, representatives of the Italian community, and Italian institutions active in Algeria. The Italian ambassador noted that the sixth bilateral summit between Algeria and Italy will be held in Rome, adding that it will be organised in light of the two countries' desire to build an equal partnership based on mutual respect and shared benefit. In his address, Cutillo recalled that on June 2, 1946, the Italian people elected a republic, which represents a powerful symbolic milestone. For the first time, Italian women were called to the polls. He described it as 'a day of freedom, democracy, and participation that continues to inspire the present and the future.' The ambassador also highlighted Algeria's pivotal role within the framework of the 'Mattei Plan for Africa' in strengthening the partnership between the two shores of the Mediterranean, emphasizing that this initiative represents a model of 'an equal partnership that imposes nothing, but is built jointly, based on respect and mutual benefit.' He concluded that the areas of energy, innovation, infrastructure, culture, training, and agriculture represent the pillars of bilateral cooperation, supported by tangible dynamism from institutions, universities, and civil society in both countries.
El Chorouk
14-05-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Algerian State Supports the Implementation of Capital Punishment for Drug Barons
The Algerian state is determined to wage a relentless war against drug gangs and to combat this crime, thanks to its dedicated men, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, Lotfi Boudjemaa, said on Tuesday evening in Algiers in response to the MPs of the National People's Assembly concerns regarding the draft drug prevention law. The Minister explained that 'the situation is dangerous. Although this is a war against Algeria, the country is determined, thanks to its loyal men from the security forces and the National People's Army, to eradicate drug gangs', adding that 'the sword of justice will reach and cut off the heads of these gangs.' The Minister attributed the recent amendment of the law on the prevention of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to the dangerous spread of this phenomenon, which necessitated its reconsideration and 'putting an end to this crime through deterrent measures.' He recalled the massive quantities of hallucinogenic pills seized in various parts of the country. In this context, and regarding introducing the death penalty, the Minister of Justice stated that Algeria, 'as a state, has the sovereignty to make any decision to combat crime according to the perspective it deems appropriate.' Given the gravity of the situation, the Algerian state has deemed it 'necessary to implement this penalty.' Regarding the proposal to require negative medical tests for drug and psychotropic substance use in applicants for recruitment competitions, Boudjemaa confirmed that the goal of this measure is to 'take care of those concerned in the event of positive results,' with the measure being referred to the competent authority to determine how to implement it. In the same context, the Minister of Justice confirmed that all wilayas include addiction treatment centers, and that, in implementation of the instructions of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 'four more modern centers will be built to care for drug victims.' Regarding the financial incentives for whistleblowers included in the draft law, the minister stated that Algeria is the only Arab country to adopt this measure. He noted that it involves providing a financial incentive to anyone who contributes information that leads to positive results, and that 'any information intended to implicate someone bears full responsibility.' Regarding the possibility of resorting to closing hotels, the Minister explained that the article 'addresses the hotel owner or person in charge who has used the place a centrer for drug trafficking.' In response to the MPs' questions, the Minister of Justice also addressed the issue of promoting drug use through any means (songs,… etc), reiterating that promoting any crime is punishable by law. In another context, Boudjemaa urged people not to be swayed by unverified news and information, noting that if the public needs to be informed about a case, 'the public prosecutor's offices provide the information via press releases.' The Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, provided clarifications regarding the information recently circulated on social media about the rape of '40 kids in Oran (western Algeria)' by one individual, and the arrest of a ministry employee in possession of a quantity of drugs and mobile phones.
