The French support committee for the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who remains imprisoned in Algeria, is calling for a demonstration in Paris on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, to demand his release. The committee considers the ten-year prison sentence requested against him to be equivalent to a "death sentence." This stark declaration underscores the urgency of the situation.
Published in the newspaper La Tribune Dimanche, the committee's appeal invites citizens, human rights activists, lovers of freedom, and cultural stakeholders to intervene against what they deem a grim fate for Sansal. His imprisonment, which has lasted since November 16, 2024, has become a focal point for discussions about free expression in Algeria and has further strained the already tense relations between Paris and Algiers.
Among the signatories calling for the protest are significant figures like Noëlle Lenoir, a former member of the Constitutional Council, Jean-Michel Blanquer, a former Minister of Education, and renowned writers Georges-Marc Benamou and Alexandre Jardin. The committee makes a strategic appeal, stating, "It belongs to all, engaged citizens, human rights activists, lovers of freedom and cultural actors, to thwart this grim design," which emphasizes how collective action is crucial in this matter.
On March 20, 2025, the Algerian prosecutor’s office requested a sentence of ten years of firm imprisonment for Sansal, as well as a fine of one million dinars. The charges against him are severe: harming the territorial integrity of Algeria and making incendiary statements about Algeria’s unity during an interview with the far-right French media outlet, Frontières. In this interview, he seemed to echo Morocco’s claims that its territory has been altered due to historical colonial injustices favoring Algeria, stirring notable political controversy.
Furthermore, his case has emerged amidst a backdrop of increasing tensions between the French and Algerian governments. The support committee has articulated that Sansal has become, regrettably, "a hostage of this troubled relationship between Paris and Algiers." This sentiment is shared widely, as many view his imprisonment as not only a personal tragedy but also as a political symbol indicative of larger issues at play in Franco-Algerian diplomacy.
As he contends with the hardships of imprisonment—compounded by health problems including cancer—Sansal’s plight draws international attention and concern. The support committee has expressed alarm over his deteriorating health, stating, "The situation of Mr. Sansal is worsening day by day because of his confinement and the cancer he suffers from." This highlights the urgent need for action, both to support his immediate release and to address the broader implications of his imprisonment for free speech.
French President Emmanuel Macron has weighed in on the situation, criticizing the Algerian authorities' handling of Sansal's case and calling for "clairvoyance" from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune regarding the significance of this matter. Macron indicated that he has exchanged "several messages" with Tebboune, pressing for a rapid resolution to this contentious issue. His comments reflect a humanitarian concern as well as a diplomatic effort to ease the tensions surrounding Sansal’s incarceration.
As the March 27 ruling from the Dar El Beida correctional court approaches, all eyes will be on the Algerian judiciary and President Teeboune's response to the ongoing international scrutiny of Boualem Sansal’s condition. The upcoming demonstration, characterized by its planned gathering of prominent cultural and political figures, will serve as a barometer for public sentiment regarding free speech and the rights of political dissidents within Algeria.
The situation is more than just a battle for one man’s freedom; it encapsulates the struggles numerous individuals face under authoritarian regimes and serves as a reminder of the vital importance of the arts and free expression in society. As the protest draws near, organizers and supporters remain hopeful that the event will not only draw attention to Sansal's case but also galvanize a broader movement advocating for the rights of imprisoned activists and writers around the world.
Ultimately, Boualem Sansal's fate hangs in the balance, not only as a reflection of his own life experiences but also as a critical juncture in the ongoing discourse surrounding human rights and freedom of speech in regions experiencing political uncertainty. With the support committee rallying public interest and outcry, there may be a chance to shift the narrative and ultimately secure justice for Sansal, whose criticisms of the Algerian government and its policies have made him a symbol of resistance against oppression.
