NGOs call on Algerian regime to end arbitrary mass expulsions of Sub-Saharan migrants

Several NGOs from Algeria,Arab world,Europe,and Africa have called on the Algerian authorities to stop alarming arbitrary mass expulsions of sub-Saharan migrants and violation of their basic human rights.

Following the deterioration of relations between Algeria and sub-Saharan African migrants have become the target of widespread racist and incitement campaigns in Algeria,said these NGOs in a joint statement.

They said that some Algerian media outlets and social media platforms systematically fueled this wave of hatred. They spread discriminatory rhetoric,even explicit incitement to hatred. Meanwhile,the Algerian authorities remain deafeningly silent about this violent and inhumane campaign against migrants.

This hate campaign has contributed to creating a climate of fear,insecurity,and humiliation for people already living in extremely vulnerable situations,said the document.

The Algerian authorities have not issued any official position,adopted any pacifying rhetoric,or taken any real protective measures. On the contrary,they have responded to this campaign by carrying out mass arrests,raids on residential neighborhoods,mass expulsions,and forced returns to Niger,where conditions are inhumane,in flagrant violation of international law.

In 2020,Algeria adopted Law No. 20-05 of 2020 on the Protection from and Combating of Discrimination and Hate Speech. This law was supposed to combat all forms of racism but never applied to curb racist or xenophobic rhetoric against African migrants.

In 2024,more than 31,000 people were expelled to Niger,according to humanitarian organizations,including Alarme Phone Sahara,a staggering number that reflects an austere approach to migration,without any legal safeguards.

More recently,from 1 to 21 April 2025,Algeria expelled more than 4,900 people to Niger,including 2,753 Nigeriens expelled via official convoys,including 308 minors and 196 women. 2,222 migrants of various African nationalities were abandoned at what is known as ‘Point Zero’ and forced to walk approximately 15 km in the desert to the town of Assamaka,without water or food and in inhumane conditions,according to Alarme Phone Sahara.

These practices expose the active and systematic participation of the Algerian authorities in this wave of racism,through repressive policies implemented since 2014.

The joint statement addressed lately by NGOs to the Algerian regime was signed by Adala for All,Trans-Mediterranean Alliance of Algerian Women,EuroMed Rights,Riposte Internationale,MENA Rights Group,Foundation for the Advancement of Rights,Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies,Committee for Justice,Statewatch,Shoaa For Human Rights,Liberté Algérie,Collectif Des Familles de Disparus Algérie,Association Tunisienne des Femmes Démocrates,Comité de Sauvegarde de la Ligue Algérienne Des Droits de l’Homme…