Algeria seeks to strengthen its efforts in combating crime and corruption by encouraging citizens to report criminals, by providing financial rewards and motivations, as well as ensuring legal protection for informants. The move was widely welcomed by citizens who expressed their support for the idea.
In this context, and within the framework of fighting crimes, especially drugs related to drugs, the Legal and Administrative Affairs Committee of the National People’s Assembly discussed the project to amend Law No. 04-18. The amendment aims to allocate financial rewards to people who are accurate information that contribute to the dismantling of drug promotion networks or the arrest of those involved in them. These rewards are spent after verifying the authenticity of the information and completing the investigations, according to the Minister of Justice Lotfi Boujemaa recently.
Legal protection for informants
The Algerian legislator made amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law to expand the legal protection department to include those whose crimes. These measures include hiding the identity of the amount, providing physical protection for him and his family, and providing financial or social assistance. The amount is also prohibited from being held accountable in the event of disclosing the secret of the profession during the notification, and the project received the approval of the citizens who considered it a bold step.
Challenges in practical application
Although these legislations are, the reality shows great difficulties in implementing them on the field. Reports reveal that many informants do not have actual protection, which exposes them to the risk of revenge or harassment, especially in corruption issues. Some of them faced judicial prosecutions or were separated from their jobs as a result of revealing violations.
The culture of reporting in Algerian society
The culture of reporting crimes in Algeria is limited, as many citizens prefer to remain silent for fear of revenge or their lack of confidence in the effectiveness of the available protection mechanisms. Reports indicate that some of the amounts were forced to retract their statements before the judiciary due to the pressure or threats they were subjected to.
In a statement to Al -Jazeera Net, the political analyst and professor of law, Musa Boudhan, explained that the government is actually preparing to activate this path, and it is currently working in cooperation with Parliament to pass a legal text that falls within the framework of drug prevention and psychotropic substances, and combating illegal trafficking and using it. He pointed out that this legal text dates back to the year 2004, according to Law No. 04-18, and it was amended in 2023 by Law 23-05.
Boudhan added: “We are awaiting discussion of the text and approval by the National Assembly, after it was approved by the National People’s Assembly recently, at the end of last week, which means that this legislation reached its final stages and has become almost complete.”
As for granting financial rewards and protection for the amounts, it confirmed that this procedure includes various types of crimes, including corruption, money laundering, terrorist financing, biology gangs, human smuggling, and human trafficking, as well as drugs related to drugs and psychotropic substances, whose new law is expected to be adopted soon.
The spokesman stressed that citizens are legally obligated to report crimes, stressing that the Algerian legislator stipulated in the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure on strict penalties against all those who refrain from reporting the crimes, whatever their type. The risk of the matter increases when it relates to crimes such as drugs and psychotropic substances, because of its catastrophic effects on society, economy, public health, state security and stability.
He added that the reporting of crimes is legally framed through several valid texts, most notably the law 06-01 related to the prevention and control of corruption, and the law 05-01 related to money laundering and terrorist financing, along with the order 05-06 related to combating smuggling, and other relevant laws.
He pointed out that it is assumed that the amount of corruption or other crimes is not supposed to be obtained a financial reward or material motivation, but rather that his national awareness and his sense of responsibility be launched, a performance of his duty as he adheres to his rights. Citizenship, as he said, is not limited to rights only, but also includes duties. While the constitution guarantees more than 44 articles devoted to rights (from Article 34 to Article 77), articles are allocated from 78 to 83 for duties, especially articles 79, 80, and 83.
The spokesman stressed: “We all have to assume our responsibility to protect our society, our economy and the state, and work to achieve security and stability in all its forms. This is a religious and moral duty, as stated in the noble prophetic hadith:“ Whoever sees you is a denial, let him change it with his hand, if he cannot, with his tongue, if he cannot, then his heart, and that is the weakest faith. ”
He stressed the necessity of activating the concept of citizenship with its full content, which combines the enjoyment of rights and the performance of duties. From this standpoint, he believes that what is required is not to grant rewards to the author, but rather to provide real legal protection for them. He pointed out that the Supreme Commission for Transparency and Prevention of Corruption, headed by Professor Salim Misrati, is currently working on preparing a draft law aimed at protecting those reported to corruption and other crimes.
He added: “We value this initiative and consider it a positive step in the right direction, and we confirm that the notification should be stem from a national and moral sense, and not motivated by awaiting material. General behavior.
