Human Rights Watch writes to urge Dr. Ihsanoglu to use his position as Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to support measures at the upcoming Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in Dakar, Senegal on March 13-14 that would improve and strengthen the 1999 OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism. In particular, the OIC should consider two amendments to the Convention to narrow its overbroad definition of terrorism and make absolutely clear that there is no sanction in Islam for deliberately attacking civilians, whatever the circumstances or justifications.

We write to express our concerns with the ongoing delays in reaching a final resolution to the status of Mr. Ahmed Zaoui, an Algerian national recognized by New Zealand’s Refugee Status Appeal Authority as a refugee.

In light of the upcoming first EU-Algeria Association Council Meeting on 20-21st March, the undersigned organizations would like to draw your attention to three key human rights concerns, which we hope you will be able to address with the Algerian authorities.

Human Rights Watch and Liberty are deeply concerned about the British government’s stated intention to seek diplomatic assurances against torture in order to deport terrorism suspects to their home countries or to third countries where they would be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Human Rights Watch and Liberty consider returns on the basis of such assurances as incompatible with the international prohibition on the return of persons to countries where they face a risk of torture (nonrefoulement). We urge you to reconsider this fatally flawed initiative and immediately to halt any negotiations with countries of return regarding securing such assurances.

Human Rights Watch is concerned that the family of Dr. Salaheddine Sidhoum, an Algiers-based human rights defender, has been subjected to threats and pressures that
are apparently intended to intimidate him and dissuade him from continuing his work.

On 9/10 October, the European Parliament is scheduled to vote on the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with Algeria. In
giving its assent, the European Parliament will be expressing its expectation that the government of Algeria will meet its commitment
under Article 2 of the Agreement to treat democratic principles and fundamental rights as essential elements of the Agreement.

We are writing you on the occasion of the first anniversary of the
outbreak of unrest in the Kabylie region to express concern that your
pledge to bring to justice abusive members of the security forces has
not been fulfilled.