At the 14th African and Arab Countries Regional Conference, PSI affiliates adopted a resolution condemning the imprisonment of Algerian trade unionist Ali Mammeri as a grave violation of freedom of association, highlighting the misuse of anti-terrorism laws and unfair judicial proceedings to repress legitimate union activity. It demands his immediate and unconditional release, an end to the criminalisation of trade union work, and full respect for Algeria’s obligations under ILO and human rights conventions. It also calls on PSI, African and international bodies, and unions worldwide to intensify solidarity, monitoring, and support for trade unionists facing repression in Algeria.
EMERGENCY RESOLUTION #1: SOLIDARITY WITH ALGERIAN TRADE UNIONIST ALI MAMMERI AND PROTECTION OF TRADE UNION RIGHTS IN ALGERIA
The 14th Africa and the Arab Countries Region Conference (AFRECON)
Meeting in Accra, Ghana, 11-14 November 2025
RECALLING Algeria’s ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, all guaranteeing workers the right to organise and conduct trade union activities free from any form of retaliation;
DEEPLY CONCERNED by the sentence of fifteen years of imprisonment for “apology of terrorism” and “disclosure of classified information” handed down on 29 October 2025 by the Criminal Court of First Instance of Oum El Bouaghi against the Algerian trade unionist Ali Mammeri, President of the National Union of Culture Workers (SNFC), a member organisation of the Confédération Syndicale des Forces Productives (COSYFOP), alongside SNAPAP and SNATEGS, which are affiliated to Public Services International (PSI);
NOTING that this conviction represents a serious violation of trade union rights in Algeria and reflects an escalating repression targeting human rights defenders and fundamental freedoms; and recalling that he had already been subjected to threats and acts of retaliation due to his trade union organising efforts in the cultural sector in 2024;
ALARMED by the misuse of anti-terrorism legislation and vague national security accusations to criminalise peaceful trade union activity, including the criminalisation of ordinary exchanges with fellow union activists and the sharing of a non-classified administrative document concerning his unlawful workplace transfer;
STRESSING that his trial was marked by serious violations of the right to a fair hearing and by serious concerns over the independence of the judiciary, resulting in a heavy sentence clearly intended to intimidate workers and deter trade union engagement;
RECALLING the recommendation of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association in its Interim Report No. 405 (March 2024) urging the Algerian Government to ensure that Article 87 bis of the Penal Code is not applied to normal trade union activities, including strikes, peaceful protests, or demands for political change;
ACKNOWLEDGING the growing mobilisation of trade union organisations, civil society actors and international human rights bodies calling for the immediate release of Ali Mammeri and the protection of all trade unionists targeted for their legitimate activities;
RESOLVES to:
CONDEMN the criminalisation of trade union activities in Algeria and the arbitrary detention of Ali Mammeri, which constitute a serious breach of freedom of association;
CALL ON the Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ali Mammeri and drop all charges related to his peaceful trade union activities;
DEMAND an end to the abusive application of anti-terrorism legislation against workers and ensure fair, impartial and independent judicial proceedings;
REAFFIRM Algeria’s obligation to fully respect ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, including the right to freely establish trade union organisations and the restoration of entities dissolved or obstructed through administrative interference;
REQUEST that the PSI Secretariat mobilise all available means to support independent trade unions in Algeria and provide continuous assistance to Ali Mammeri and his fellow activists facing prosecution for their trade union commitment;
URGE the African Union, the ILO and the relevant United Nations mechanisms to closely monitor the situation and engage firmly with the Algerian authorities to ensure the protection of trade union rights and fundamental freedoms;
INVITE PSI affiliates and international partners to strengthen solidarity campaigns, maintain public pressure, and provide direct support to the family of Ali Mammeri and to all trade unionists currently facing repression.
Submitted by:
Syndicat National Autonome des Personnels de l'Administration Publique (SNAPAP)
Syndicat National Autonome des Travailleurs de l'Électricité et du Gaz (SNATEG)