Unlawful arrest and detention of woman human rights defender Kamira Nait Sid
On 24 August 2021, woman human rights defender Kamira Nait Sid was abducted from her home in Draa-Ben-Kheddaas in northern Algeria and detained at an unknown location without any contact with her family or a lawyer for three days. On the morning of 1 September 2021, the woman human rights defender accompanied by her lawyers was presented to the Public Prosecutor and later to the investigation judge at Sidi M'Hamed Court in Alger. The charges brought against Kamira Nait Sid include "undermining national unity and state security” and “belonging to a terrorist organization" under Article 87 bis of the Penal code which carry penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment and the death penalty. She is currently detained at the Kolea Prison in the province of Tipaza.
Kamira Nait Sid is the co-president of the World Amazigh Congress (WAC), an international NGO defending the rights of the Amazigh people. The mission of the WAC is to ensure the defence and promotion of political, economic, social, cultural, historical and civil rights of the Amazigh people. Within the framework of its international activities, the WAC regularly presents alternative reports concerning the situation of the rights of the Amazighs, before the various specialized bodies of the United Nations (in particular those dealing with questions of racism and discrimination, political, economic, social, cultural and linguistic rights, women's rights, and children's rights).
On 24 August 2021, woman human rights defender Kamira Nait Sid was abducted from her home in Draa-Ben-Kheddaas in northern Algeria and detained at an unknown location without any contact with her family or a lawyer for three days. On the morning of 1 September 2021, the woman human rights defender accompanied by her lawyers was presented to the Public Prosecutor and later to the investigation judge at Sidi M'Hamed Court in Alger. The charges brought against Kamira Nait Sid include "undermining national unity and state security” and “belonging to a terrorist organization" under Article 87 bis of the Penal code which carry penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment and the death penalty. She is currently detained at the Kolea Prison in the province of Tipaza.
Kamira Nait Sid is the co-president of the World Amazigh Congress (WAC), an international NGO defending the rights of the Amazigh people. The mission of the WCA is to ensure the defence and promotion of political, economic, social, cultural, historical and civil rights of the Amazigh people. Within the framework of its international activities, the WAC regularly presents alternative reports concerning the situation of the rights of the Amazighs, before the various specialized bodies of the United Nations (in particular those dealing with questions of racism and discrimination, political, economic, social, cultural and linguistic rights, women's rights, and children's rights).
On 24 August 2021, woman human rights defender Kamira Nait Sid was abducted by Algerian security forces from her home in Draa-Ben-Khedda, near Tizi Ouzou, in northern Algeria. She was reported as missing by her family for 8 days before the security services confirmed that she was in police custody in Alger. On 1 September 2021, accompanied by her lawyers, she was presented to the Public Prosecutor and to the investigation judge at Sidi M'hamed Court in Algers, who issued an arrest warrant against her. She was indicted with over eight charges, including "undermining national unity and state security" and “belonging to a terrorist organization” referring to Article 87 bis of the Penal Code. If convicted, Kamira Nait Sid could face 10 years imprisonment to life imprisonment and/or the death penalty. On 29 August 2021, the woman right defender's Zina Nait Sid was also arrested by security forces without presenting a warrant. The family believe that her arrest is linked to her sister's work as a human rights defender. Zina Nait Sid was released on the following day without any charges.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned by the unlawful arrest and detention of the woman human rights defender Kamira Nait Sid and as it is believes that she is being targeted for ther legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights.
