european Parliament Demands Immediate Release of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal
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In a resounding move, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to demand the “immediate and unconditional” release of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who has been imprisoned in Algeria as mid-November. the resolution, which passed with 533 votes in favor, 24 against, and 48 abstentions, also condemned the arrests of activists, journalists, and human rights defenders, including journalist abdelwakil blamm and writer Mohamed Tadjadit.
The 75-year-old Sansal,a naturalized French citizen since 2024,is being prosecuted under Article 87 bis of Algeria’s Penal Code,which criminalizes acts deemed to threaten state security,territorial integrity,or the stability of institutions. According to Le Monde, his incarceration stems from comments he made to the French media outlet Frontières, which is known for its far-right leanings. Sansal reportedly echoed Morocco’s stance that Algeria’s territory was unjustly expanded during French colonization at Morocco’s expense.
A Divided response
The resolution, co-signed by five political groups in the European Parliament, including socialists and ecologists, sparked heated debate. Raphaël Glucksmann, a socialist MEP, expressed outrage at those who abstained or voted against the resolution. “It’s a shame! Frankly,to abstain or vote against such a factual text where there is nothing ideological,nothing historical that is contestable,is simply to condone the imprisonment of an immense writer in jails,and it is deeply scandalous,” he said.
Though, the delegation of La france Insoumise (LFI), a left-wing French political party, was divided. Rima Hassan voted against the resolution, while Manon Aubry, the party’s lead candidate in the last elections, abstained. Aubry clarified her position to AFP, stating that while she supports Sansal’s release, she opposed the resolution’s “instrumentalization by the far right to stoke tensions with Algeria and fuel their xenophobic agenda.”
Hassan echoed this sentiment, telling AFP that she aimed to counter “the exploitation of this vote to fuel a diplomatic escalation.” She also criticized the resolution as a “catch-all of everything that bothers us with Algeria.” On social media platform X, she challenged Sansal’s defenders to “deploy as much energy to defend the human rights of the Palestinians.”
Political Fallout
The case has further strained the already tense relations between France and Algeria, which have deteriorated since france expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed territory of Western Sahara last summer. Bruno Retailleau,France’s interior Minister,accused Hassan of being a “supporter of the Algerian regime” and called her vote against the resolution “inhuman” and “politically scandalous.”
Retailleau acknowledged that Sansal is “without doubt the hostage of this tense relationship between the two countries” and urged the Algerian government to make a “humanitarian gesture” by releasing the ailing writer.
Former LFI member François Ruffin also criticized his former colleagues’ stance, stating, “A writer’s place is not in prison, whether we agree or not with what he writes. Obviously, we must do everything for the release of a writer.”
Broader Implications
The resolution highlights the deepening ideological divide within French politics. Glucksmann pointed to the vote as evidence of the irreconcilable differences between socialists and La France Insoumise. “Our vision of the world, our principles are not the same, our relationship to public debate is not the same. Let’s stop the hypocrisy,” he said.
The case of Boualem Sansal underscores the complex interplay between freedom of expression,international diplomacy,and human rights. As tensions between France and Algeria continue to simmer, the fate of the imprisoned writer remains a poignant symbol of the broader struggles for justice and accountability.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Resolution Outcome | 533 votes in favor, 24 against, 48 abstentions |
| Writer’s Name | Boualem Sansal |
| Charges | Article 87 bis of Algeria’s Penal Code (state security threats) |
| Political Reactions | Divided responses from La France Insoumise; strong condemnation from others |
| Diplomatic Context | Strained France-Algeria relations over Western Sahara and colonial history |
| Human Rights Focus | Calls for release of activists, journalists, and political prisoners |
The European Parliament’s resolution is a powerful reminder of the importance of defending freedom of expression and human rights, even in the face of geopolitical tensions. As the world watches, the question remains: will Algeria heed the call for a humanitarian gesture, or will Sansal’s imprisonment continue to symbolize the fractures in international relations?
For more on the evolving France-Algeria relationship, explore this analysis or delve into the history of western Sahara’s disputed territory.
European Parliament Demands Immediate Release of Franco-Algerian Writer Boualem Sansal
In a resounding move, the european Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to demand the “immediate and unconditional” release of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who has been imprisoned in Algeria since mid-November. The resolution, which passed with 533 votes in favor, 24 against, and 48 abstentions, also condemned the arrests of activists, journalists, and human rights defenders, including journalist Abdelwakil Blamm and writer Mohamed Tadjadit. The 75-year-old Sansal, a naturalized French citizen since 2024, is being prosecuted under Article 87 bis of Algeria’s Penal Code, which criminalizes acts deemed to threaten state security, territorial integrity, or the stability of institutions. According to le Monde, his incarceration stems from comments he made to the french media outlet Frontières, which is known for its far-right leanings. Sansal reportedly echoed Morocco’s stance that Algeria’s territory was unjustly expanded during French colonization at Morocco’s expense.
A Divided Response
The resolution, co-signed by five political groups in the European Parliament, including socialists and ecologists, sparked heated debate.Raphaël Glucksmann, a socialist MEP, expressed outrage at those who abstained or voted against the resolution. “It’s a shame! Frankly, to abstain or vote against such a factual text where there is nothing ideological, nothing past that is contestable, is simply to condone the imprisonment of an immense writer in jails, and it is indeed deeply scandalous,” he said.
However, the delegation of La France Insoumise (LFI), a left-wing French political party, was divided. Rima Hassan voted against the resolution, while Manon Aubry, the party’s lead candidate in the last elections, abstained.Aubry clarified her position to AFP, stating that while she supports Sansal’s release, she opposed the resolution’s “instrumentalization by the far right to stoke tensions with Algeria and fuel their xenophobic agenda.”
Hassan echoed this sentiment, telling AFP that she aimed to counter “the exploitation of this vote to fuel a diplomatic escalation.” She also criticized the resolution as a “catch-all of everything that bothers us with Algeria.” On social media platform X, she challenged Sansal’s defenders to “deploy as much energy to defend the human rights of the Palestinians.”
political Fallout
The case has further strained the already tense relations between France and Algeria, which have deteriorated as France expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed territory of Western Sahara last summer. Bruno Retailleau, France’s Interior Minister, accused Hassan of being a “supporter of the Algerian regime” and called her vote against the resolution “inhuman” and “politically scandalous.”
Retailleau acknowledged that Sansal is “without doubt the hostage of this tense relationship between the two countries” and urged the Algerian government to make a “humanitarian gesture” by releasing the ailing writer.
Former LFI member François Ruffin also criticized his former colleagues’ stance, stating, “A writer’s place is not in prison, whether we agree or not with what he writes. Obviously, we must do everything for the release of a writer.”
broader Implications
The resolution highlights the deepening ideological divide within French politics. Glucksmann pointed to the vote as evidence of the irreconcilable differences between socialists and La France Insoumise. “Our vision of the world, our principles are not the same, our relationship to public debate is not the same. Let’s stop the hypocrisy,” he said.
The case of Boualem Sansal underscores the complex interplay between freedom of expression, international diplomacy, and human rights. As tensions between France and Algeria continue to simmer, the fate of the imprisoned writer remains a poignant symbol of the broader struggles for justice and accountability.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Resolution Outcome | 533 votes in favor, 24 against, 48 abstentions |
| Writer’s Name | Boualem Sansal |
| Charges | Article 87 bis of Algeria’s Penal Code (state security threats) |
| Political Reactions | Divided responses from La France Insoumise; strong condemnation from others |
| Diplomatic Context | Strained France-Algeria relations over Western Sahara and colonial history |
| Human Rights Focus | Calls for release of activists, journalists, and political prisoners |
The European Parliament’s resolution is a powerful reminder of the importance of defending freedom of expression and human rights, even in the face of geopolitical tensions. As the world watches, the question remains: will algeria heed the call for a humanitarian gesture, or will Sansal’s imprisonment continue to symbolize the fractures in international relations?
For more on the evolving France-Algeria relationship, explore this analysis or delve into the history of Western Sahara’s disputed territory.
