Human Rights Watch has vehemently criticized a proposed Algerian bill aimed at updating the nation's association laws, asserting that it would intensify governmental control over civil society rather than alleviate it. This proposed legislation seeks to amend Law 12-06, which was enacted in 2012, but according to the rights group, it fails to correct its most controversial elements. These include vague definitions such as “national constants and values,” “public order,” and “morality.” Moreover, the bill maintains stringent registration requirements for civil groups, making it burdensome for them to operate.

Alexis Thiry, a legal advisor at MENA Rights Group, commented on the draft bill’s implications: “Rather than addressing shortcomings in Algeria’s associations law, the draft bill would make the situation even worse.” This sentiment is echoed by multiple human rights advocates who have expressed concerns over the Algerian government’s tightening grip on the freedoms of association and assembly.

The bill introduces a contentious requirement that founding members of civil society organizations must be Algerian citizens with no criminal record, regardless of the severity or political motivation of any past convictions. It also demands that the purpose of associations should be to "support public authorities to implement public policies," a stipulation that critics argue contradicts Article 53 of the Algerian Constitution and international human rights statutes.

According to Human Rights Watch, the draft bill directly violates Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa. These international laws emphasize that a past criminal conviction should not prevent an individual from founding or participating in an association.

The context of this legislation is particularly troubling given the backdrop of the 2019 Hirak protest movement, which brought thousands of Algerians to the streets demanding political reforms and enhanced freedoms. The government’s response has been to ban political demonstrations and dissolve key human rights organizations such as Rassemblement Actions Jeunesse (RAJ) and the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights.

International scrutiny has increased as multiple organizations have reviewed the state of civil society in Algeria since the enactment of the 2012 law. These reviews consistently highlight the restrictive environment faced by groups working on a range of issues, including anti-corruption, environmental protection, women’s rights, democracy advocacy, and healthcare improvement.

Overall, the proposed bill is seen as a step backwards for civic freedoms in Algeria, a country already criticized for its stringent control over civil society. Advocates and international observers continue to urge Algerian authorities to reconsider the draft legislation and align it with globally accepted standards for freedom of association and assembly.