US EditionAlgeria: Joint Statement Regarding Pope Leo XIV's Historic Visit to Algeria
The groups say authorities have shut more than 40 churches since 2017 and expelled 31,000 migrants in 2024, citing broad restrictions on worship and civic space.
- Human rights organizations are urging Pope Leo XIV to address systemic abuses during his upcoming visit to Algeria, scheduled from April 13 to 15, 2026, requesting he use his "good offices" to press authorities on international law obligations.
- Since the 2019 Hirak protest movement, Algerian authorities have waged a sustained crackdown on civic space, while persistently denying official registration to the Protestant Church of Algeria and Ahmadi Muslims under restrictive religious laws.
- Courts have sentenced minorities to prison for "unauthorized worship" or "offense to Islam," while security forces expelled at least 31,000 and 34,000 migrants in 2024 and 2025, respectively, according to NGO Alarm Phone Sahara.
- On March 6, 2026, authorities prevented activist Slimane Bouhafs from leaving the country, while an appeals court recently sentenced human rights defender Ali Mammeri to ten years in prison for union activism.
- While the Pope hopes the visit fosters a "true encounter" and a call to "live together," signatories including Human Rights Watch, EuroMed Rights, and MENA Rights Group insist he must also raise systemic abuse concerns.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Pope Leo XIV’s historic Algeria visit seen as symbol of dialogue and recognition
For Pope Leo XIV, an upcoming visit to Algeria marks both a personal and historic milestone, as the North African nation prepares to welcome a sitting pontiff for the first time.
Four countries, eleven days, eleven cities: The Vatican has published the full Africa program of Pope Leo XIV. The trip takes place in April in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
Pope Leo XIV Should Raise Human Rights Issues During His Visit to Algeria
Ahead of your upcoming historic visit to Algeria, scheduled from 13 to 15 April 2026, the undersigned human rights organizations are writing to bring your attention to key pressing human rights concerns in the country. We call on you to use your good offices to raise these concerns with the Algerian authorities in private as well as in your public communications surrounding the visit and call on them to uphold their obligations under internation…
Pope Leo XIV visit to Africa fuels hope for faith filled scholarships from U.S
Coinciding with Pope Leo XIV Apostolic visit to Africa (April 13-23), Mr. Victor Mooney, from Kew Gardens Hills, Queens has written to a Catholic higher education institutions in the United States. With deep humility, Mr. Mooney has asked them to pledge full academic scholarships for deserving African Youth from Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea – […]
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