Algerian Ambassador to Tunis Azzouz Baalal on Friday denied the presence of Algerian detainees in Tunisian prisons.
Azzouz Baalal has indeed provided in a statement to the APS details concerning young Algerians who have emigrated illegally and who are considered missing and victims of enforced disappearance, assuring that the Algerian authorities “will spare no effort” to keep the families of the concerned informed of any development that may arise in this painful matter.
The Algerian diplomat specified that “following the reactions aroused by the summons by the court of El Keuf -Tunisia- of the families and relatives of young Algerians, illegal migrants, missing persons and victims of enforced disappearance, I bring to your attention the facts following:
– These young people have been missing since 2008 and their number rises according to testimonies and various reports to 39 people.
– Parties have mentioned their possible presence in Tunisian prisons, indicating that they are still alive.
– Supervised and guided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, our diplomatic and consular corps in the Republic of Tunisia has taken the necessary steps with the Tunisian authorities to ensure the veracity of the facts.
– The Tunisian authorities have officially and repeatedly denied the presence of Algerian detainees in Tunisian prisons, not reported to the Algerian authorities, in accordance with diplomatic practices and the provisions of international treaties governing consular relations. Just as they (Tunisian authorities) investigated the facts without arriving at any clue as to the presence of Algerian citizens who were victims of enforced disappearance in Tunisia.
The Algerian diplomat affirmed that Algeria and Tunisia were linked by “a relationship of trust marked by a high sense of responsibility and transparent cooperation, including in terms of consular and judicial cooperation, particularly when it comes to research. of missing persons or research in the interest of the families”.
Recalling that the two countries “are bound by a judicial cooperation agreement providing for compliance with the measures in force, the exchange of judicial information, and the follow-up of investigations relating to legal or natural persons, in particular through letters rogatory”, the diplomat affirmed that this document is “the appropriate framework for the treatment of such cases”.
The Algerian ambassador to Tunisia said finally “to sympathize with the feelings of the families of the young disappeared and their sorrows following the disappearance of their children”, calling on these families to “show confidence in the Algerian authorities who will inform them of any development that may arise in this deplorable and painful matter”.
