GENEVA (24 November 2023) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, will conduct an official visit to Algeria from 26 November to 5 December 2023.

The Special Rapporteur will meet with government authorities, the National Human Rights Council, members of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and other media workers, academia and other relevant stakeholders. The Special Rapporteur will also hold meetings with the UN country team and the diplomatic corps.

During her visit, Lawlor will assess the environment for the defence of human rights in the country and consider how civil society organisations and individuals are able to carry out their human rights work. She will hear from human rights defenders about any challenges they face in their day-to-day work and make recommendations to the Government as to how some of these challenges may be reduced.

In additions to meetings in Algiers, the expert will travel to Tizi Ouzou and Oran to meet government officials, human rights defenders, and other stakeholders. The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Government.

The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference on Tuesday 5 December at 09:30 local time. Access will be limited to journalists.

The expert will present her report to the Human Rights Council in March 2025.