- Rights Monitors Warn Hassan Bouras Faces Serious Medical Risks, Call for Immediate Legal and Humanitarian Action
GENEVA: United Nations human rights experts on Friday called on Algeria to immediately release detained journalist and human rights activist Hassan Bouras, warning that his prolonged hunger strike has placed his life and health in grave danger.
In a joint statement, four UN Special Rapporteurs expressed deep concern over Bouras’s continued detention and deteriorating medical condition, urging Algerian authorities to ensure his immediate access to legal representation and appropriate healthcare.
Arrest and Detention Raise Human Rights Concerns
According to the UN experts, Bouras was arrested on April 12 outside his home in El-Bayadh by plain-clothed security personnel, reportedly without an arrest warrant or explanation.
He was subsequently placed in pre-trial detention on several charges, including alleged membership in a terrorist organization.
The experts emphasized that they serve under mandates from the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the United Nations.
Hunger Strike Sparks Alarm
The statement said Bouras was placed in solitary confinement on May 2 after launching a hunger strike to protest what he described as his arbitrary detention.
During his 26-day hunger strike, Bouras reportedly collapsed twice and developed serious health complications. The UN experts expressed concern that he had not received adequate medical treatment despite his worsening condition.
The experts noted that the situation was particularly alarming because Bouras suffers from pre-existing cardiac and respiratory illnesses, significantly increasing the risks associated with his prolonged protest.
“We are deeply concerned by the ongoing arbitrary detention of Mr. Bouras, as well as the serious risks to his life, health and physical integrity,” the experts said.
They urged the Algerian authorities to act without delay to safeguard his life, health and fundamental rights.
“Mr. Bouras must be granted immediate access to legal counsel and adequate medical care,” the statement added.
Concerns Over Press Freedom and Judicial Harassment
The UN experts argued that Bouras’s detention reflects a broader pattern of judicial harassment targeting journalists and human rights defenders in Algeria because of their professional work and advocacy.
They called for his immediate release and urged the authorities to end what they described as the continued prosecution and intimidation of independent journalists and civil society activists.
Among the signatories to the statement were the UN Special Rapporteurs on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism and on the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
International Scrutiny Intensifies
International rights organizations have also raised concerns about the state of press freedom in Algeria.
According to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, Algeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries and territories, falling 19 places compared with the previous year.
In May, Amnesty International similarly called on the Algerian authorities to end what it described as the misuse of the justice system against journalists.
The organization urged the government to stop prosecuting media professionals solely for carrying out their journalistic duties or expressing critical and controversial opinions.
BY: The Times Union
