In its latest report on terrorism for 2021, the US State Department recalls that “Algerian authorities have more frequently targeted the Berber separatist movement for the self-determination of Kabylia and the Islamist movement Rachad, which the government has designated as terrorist organizations in May”.
“The United States considers these designations to be motivated more by political than security considerations, as both movements are highly critical of the government and do not appear to have committed what the United States defines as acts of terrorism.” .
In the commitment linked to the fight against terrorism with the United States, “the Algerian authorities have notably refrained from discussing these movements or the presumed threats they represent”, continues the American diplomacy which denounces the recourse of the regime Algerian to charges of “terror-related crimes for activities that appeared to constitute peaceful expression and activism”.
In 2021, “Algeria amended its Penal Code to broaden the definition of terrorist acts and establish a national list of terrorist individuals and entities. The government has used the new amendments to detain political activists and outspoken critics of the government “, concludes the State Department report.