Algeria: Whether there existed an "Interdiction de quitter le territoire national" (National Travel Ban) in Algeria between 1992 to 1994; what persons would be forbidden to travel outside Algeria, specifically whether police officers would not be permitted to travel outside Algeria during the 1992-1994 period; whether the government issued passports to persons not permitted to travel outside Algeria; whether a passport is revoked if the bearer is subsequently forbidden to travel for some reason; what measures were in place to monitor exit controls by persons subject to controls (1992-1994)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 8 May 2006 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | DZA101151.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Algeria: Whether there existed an "Interdiction de quitter le territoire national" (National Travel Ban) in Algeria between 1992 to 1994; what persons would be forbidden to travel outside Algeria, specifically whether police officers would not be permitted to travel outside Algeria during the 1992-1994 period; whether the government issued passports to persons not permitted to travel outside Algeria; whether a passport is revoked if the bearer is subsequently forbidden to travel for some reason; what measures were in place to monitor exit controls by persons subject to controls (1992-1994), 8 May 2006, DZA101151.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/45f147272f.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Specific information as to whether an "Interdiction de quitter le territoire national" (National Travel Ban) existed in Algeria between 1992 and 1994 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. In correspondence dated 20 March 2006, an official of the Algerian Embassy in Ottawa stated that, [translation] "to our knowledge, there is no prohibition on leaving Algeria." Police officers and security officials, as with other state officials or government employees, present a document from their employer in order to leave the country, i.e. leave of absence, medical leave (Algeria 20 March 2006). According to the official, restrictions or prohibitions on leaving Algeria can only be issued by judicial authorities, following prosecution, and in such a case, the passport would not be revoked (ibid.). Regarding measures to monitor border activity, the official also indicated that the Border and Aviation Police would maintain files on exits from the country (ibid.).
In a 9 March 2006 telephone interview, a journalist from Jeune Afrique provided the following information. From 1992 to 1994, there were no formal restrictions or prohibitions on leaving Algeria. The journalist stated that the only exception would have been if a person was subject to some kind of judicial restriction, which could have been for various reasons, in which case the passport would have been revoked to ensure that the person did not leave the country (Jeune Afrique 9 March 2006). The journalist stated that such cases were rare and that this restriction would still be applicable in 2006 (ibid.). The journalist indicated that he was not aware if a passport would be issued to someone who was forbidden to travel for such judicial reasons (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Algeria. 20 March 2006. Algerian Embassy in Ottawa. Correspondence from an official.
Jeune Afrique. 9 March 2006. Telephone interview with a journalist.
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Attempts to contact the Association des droits de la personne au Maghreb (ADPM), the Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH), the Ligue algérienne pour la défense des droits de l'homme (LADDH) and the World Amazigh Action Coalition (WAAC) were unsuccessful.
The Consulate of Algeria in the United Kingdom and Ireland and the Algerian Embassy in Washington, DC did not provide information.
L'Expression, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of Algeria to the United Nations did not provide information within the time constraints of this response.
Publications: The Europa World Year Book 2005, Jane's Intelligence Review (JIR), Political Handbook of the World 2005 - 2006, Report on Algeria from the Canadian Embassy in Algeria, World Police Encyclopedia.
Internet sites, including: Algeria-Watch, Amnesty International (AI), Consulate of Algeria in the United Kingdom and Ireland, El Moudjahid, El Watan, Embassy of Algeria in Ottawa, Factiva, Fédération internationale des ligues de droits de l'homme (FIDH), Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Freedom House, Government of Algeria, Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jane's Intelligence Review (JIR), Jeune Afrique, La Nouvelle République, La Tribune, L'Expression, Liberté [Algiers], Le Soir d'Algérie, Maghreb des droits de l'homme, Ministry of External Affairs of Algeria, Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of Algeria to the United Nations, United States Department of State, World Amazigh Action Coalition (WAAC), World News Connection (WNC).
