A/HRC/13/56
rehabilitation. As at 31 December 2009, the concrete implementation of rehabilitation
programmes for 5,700 demobilized persons, with contributions from the African
Development Fund, had begun. CARITAS and the Food and Agriculture Organization had
identified 4,200 demobilized persons, who were referred to them. Also, pilot agricultural
farms had been set up in 10 selected sites for community rehabilitation.
459. The aim of the Government was to increase the efficiency of justice. Approximately
2,000 magistrates would be recruited: 1,000 in 2010, 1,000 in 2011. This would allow for
optimal functioning of the judiciary, and would strengthen the fight against impunity,
including for crimes of sexual violence and corruption. In the meantime, existing courts
were ready to deal with different criminal cases, including with regard to sexual violence.
In combating the overcrowding of penitentiary institutions, a new central prison in line with
international standards had been inaugurated on 30 December 2009, and the Government
was rehabilitating two other prisons. In addition, there would shortly be areas for girls in
the Beni and Goma establishments for child custody. The Beni military court was being set
up. These actions were part of the implementation of the overall justice system reform plan,
in particular the creation of 145 peace courts all over the territory, by June 2010, to allow
people to be close to the courts and to ensure the effectiveness of the justice system.
460. With regard to combating impunity within the army and the police, the zero
tolerance policy, announced by the Head of State, continued its irrevocable path. Any
officer found guilty was systematically prosecuted at the disciplinary or court levels,
irrespective of rank. Regarding the recommendations on which the State had reservations,
the delegation reaffirmed its full readiness to cooperate with the seven special thematic
rapporteurs and with other special procedures, and to issue them an invitation whenever
such request was made. It recalled the invitation made by the Government for a visit by the
independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial
obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social
and cultural rights.
461. The delegation assured the Council of the readiness of its Government to cooperate
in view of the implementation of the recommendations by the Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions following his visit to the country. With
regard to the recommendation on the creation of a joint commission, including international
staff, to combat arbitrary detentions, this structure already existed in the framework of the
joint justice committee. With regard to the recommendations relating to the internal
functioning of the armed forces, these issues were part of national policy. The Government
awaited the results of the mapping carried out by the United Nations for the period 1993–
2003 before expressing its opinion on the recommendations on transitional justice.
462. With regard to recommendations on elaborating laws specifically protecting human
rights defenders, the delegation reaffirmed its commitment to continue discussions to set up
a specific legal framework for them.
2.
Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome
463. Algeria commended the commitment of the Government to improve human rights,
particularly of vulnerable groups such as women and children, with the support of human
rights mechanisms. Algeria noted with satisfaction that the State supported the
recommendations made by its delegation and had accepted 124 recommendations made in
the Working Group. Algeria encouraged the authorities to pursue the consolidation of the
peace process in the context of a crisis exit strategy, adapted to its particular circumstances
within the framework of existing mechanisms, and noted that a country mandate would
have little practical effect if not established at the request of the concerned country.
148
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents