The International Classification of the National Human Rights Council in Algeria Between Reality and Aspiration

Abstract

The National Human Rights Council represents the national institution entrusted with the protection of human rights in Algeria and serves as the mirror reflecting Algeria's international image. Like national human rights institutions in various countries worldwide, it is subject to periodic international monitoring focused on the extent of its compliance with a set of predetermined international standards expressed in the Paris Principles relating to the Status of National Human Rights Institutions. Following this evaluation, it is classified as either Class A, Class B, or Class C. The National Human Rights Council in Algeria is currently classified as Class B.

This study is presented as a proposal to elevate the National Human Rights Council to Class A status by addressing the following research question: Why is the National Human Rights Council classified as Class B, and how can its classification be improved?

This problematic is addressed through an analytical methodology by: defining the framework of the National Human Rights Council; clarifying Algeria's efforts to advance the National Human Rights Council toward Class A classification; analyzing the criticisms directed at Algeria in the latest report by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and clarifying how to address them in a practical, justified, and institutionalized manner; and identifying the advantages that Class A classification would provide to Algeria.