In addition to terrorists, forfeiture of nationality could apply to persons “who seriously prejudice the interests of the state or who undermine national unity”
A bill that could worry the Algerian diaspora, especially in France. The government of Algiers plans to deprive of Algerian nationality any national committing abroad “acts prejudicial to the interests of the State”, according to a draft law presented Wednesday by the Minister of Justice, reports the official APS agency.
Minister Belkacem Zeghmati presented an amendment to the Algerian Nationality Code on Wednesday before members of the government meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad. His proposal provides for several scenarios likely to lead to the forfeiture of Algerian nationality “acquired or of origin”, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s office quoted by the APS.
Thus would be forfeited any person of Algerian nationality “who commits, outside the national territory, acts voluntarily causing serious prejudice to the interests of the State or which undermine national unity”.
Concerns within the diaspora
The measure would also apply to “anyone who activates or joins a terrorist organization as well as whoever finances or defends it”, as well as “anyone who collaborates with an enemy state”, details the press release. .
The proposal of the Minister of Justice is likely to raise serious concerns within the vast Algerian diaspora around the world. France hosts the largest Algerian community abroad. President Abdemadjid Tebboune mentioned in July 2020 the figure of “more than six million Algerians” living in France.
This initiative comes at a time when the popular protest movement of Hirak, supported by a large part of the diaspora, has resumed its demonstrations against the political “system” in place – which it demands the dismantling – since its 2nd anniversary on February 22.
In 2005, Parliament unanimously passed an ordinance recognizing dual nationality. Although banned before 2005, dual nationality was however tolerated by the Algerian authorities, especially for Franco-Algerian dual nationals.
