Algerian Law Allows Terrorists To Repent, Rejoin Society
Algeria’s Civil Concord Law, which seeks to reintegrate reformed terrorists into society, continues to be a topic of controversy 14 years after its ratification, writes Kaci Racelma.
The Algerian law on civil concord, which was passed Sept. 16, 1999, following a referendum by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and had officially ended 10 years of war between the government and Islamist radicals, continues to be the talk of the town in Algeria.
This law was passed six months after the former Minister of Foreign Affairs under the rule of President Houari Boumedienne came to power (1965-1978) in a contested vote, following the withdrawal of six other presidential contenders.
Many praise the virtues of this law, which has achieved significant results on the ground. For more than a decade, the country has been struggling to get out of this vicious cycle of madness that was imposed by Islamist fundamentalists.
Almost 14 years after the referendum that was supported by the overwhelming majority of Algerians, the president’s law gave 15,000 terrorists the chance to repent. The advocates of this unique project have followed the same path to implement the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation and to showcase its benefits.
