UPDATE: Algeria: Release of those sentenced for breaking the Ramadan fast
On 29 September, a court in Biskra sentenced 6 men to 4 years in prison and a 1000 euro fine, for eating in public during the fasting hours of Ramadan. The verdict has since been overturned and the prisoners have been freed.
Although the Algerian constitution guarantees the freedoms of belief, religion and conscience, the original verdict was based on article 144 (a) 2 of the Penal Code, stipulating that « tout individu qui porte atteinte aux préceptes de l’Islam par des écrits, des dessins ou tout autre moyen est passible de lourdes peines » [“any individual who undermines the precepts of Islam in writings, drawings or by any other means is liable to serious penalty” --ed.].
For further details (in French) please see here:
Mise à jour: Algerie: Condamnés par le tribunal de Biskra pour non-respect du Ramadhan : Les prévenus relaxés par la cour d’appel (El Watan)
11/10/2008: Les 6 hommes condamnés le 29 septembre 2008 à 4 ans de prison ferme assortis de 100 000 DA d’amende pour « non-respect d’un fondement de l’Islam » ont été acquittés hier par le tribunal pénal près la cour de justice de Biskra. http://wluml.org/french/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-562678
For background to this case, please see here: http://wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-562652
Source:
El Watan / WLUML Networkers
Submitted on Sun, 10/12/2008 - 23:00
Related News
- Egypt: 'Why Women are at the Heart of Egypt's Political Trials and Tribulations'
- Tunisia: 'Universities are the first test for Tunisian secularism'
- Algeria: 'The Lessons of January 11, 1992: Remembering the Cancellation of Algeria’s Elections in the Wake of the “Arab Autumn”'
- Egypt: 'Egyptian Women Cane Morality Police'
- MENA: 'Will the Arab Spring Backfire on Women?'
Related Actions
- Update: Iran: Parastou Dokouhaki and Marzieh Rasouli held in Solitary Confinement in Evin Prison
- Iran: Parastou Dokouhaki and Marzieh Rasouli detained as a new wave of arrests is carried out in Iran
- Update: Iran: Alieh Eghamdoust released from prison after serving three year sentence
- Afghanistan: Women included into Afghan delegation to Bonn
- WLUML Statement on Afghan women's exclusion from participation at Bonn
Relevant Resources
- Dossier 30-31: The Struggle for Secularism in Europe and North America
- Towards a Future without Fundamentalisms
- Feminists on the Frontline: AWID Case Studies of Resisting Fundamentalisms
- FES publication on Religious Fundamentalisms in Asia
- Legal Empowerment of Unwed Mothers: Experiences of Moroccan NGOs
