Summary: Non-signatory Algeria has not elaborated its view on accession to the convention. It participated in a meeting of the convention for the first time in September 2015, where it expressed firm opposition to cluster munitions. However, Algeria abstained from voting on a UN resolution on the convention in December 2015. Algeria is not known to have used, produced, or exported cluster munitions, but it is reported to stockpile them.

Policy

The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria has not yet acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Algeria attended a meeting of the convention for the first time in September 2015, when it participated as an observer in the First Review Conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia. During the high-level segment, Algeria told States Parties that the convention “provides a useful international norm to the global regime on disarmament.”[1]

The representative did not directly address the matter of Algeria’s accession to the convention, but described “ongoing efforts for the stabilization of our neighbouring countries.” Previously, in 2009, an Algerian official told the Monitor that the government was not prepared to sign the convention “at the present time” after conducting a study on it that considered the country’s internal situation, its long borders, and the positions of neighboring countries.[2]

Algeria acceded to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) in May 2015. In the past Algeria expressed a preference for cluster munitions to be addressed via the CCW. However, it has not proposed any work on the topic at the CCW since an effort to conclude a new protocol on cluster munitions at the CCW failed in 2011, effectively ending CCW deliberations on the topic and leaving the Convention on Cluster Munitions as the sole international instrument dedicated to ending the suffering caused by cluster munitions.

On 7 December 2015, Algeria abstained from voting on UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which urges states outside the convention to “join as soon as possible.”[3] Algeria did not explain its decision to abstain from the vote on the non-binding resolution, which a total of 140 states voted for, including many non-signatories.

Algeria participated in several meetings of the Oslo Process, but did not attend the Dublin negotiations in May 2008 or the Oslo signing conference in December of that year.[4] At the Vienna conference in December 2007, Algeria described cluster munitions as “evil weapons” requiring urgent action through “a legally binding instrument.”[5]

In 2011, Wikileaks released a United States (US) Department of State cable that showed US officials met with Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February 2008 and urged Algeria not to support any measures “that would interfere with cooperation efforts aimed at non-state parties.”[6]

Before it participated in the convention’s First Review Conference, Algeria attended one international meeting on cluster munitions, in Santiago, Chile in June 2010.

Algeria is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty.

Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling

Algeria is not known to have used, produced, or exported cluster munitions.

Algeria is reported to stockpile cluster munitions. In 2004, Jane’s Information Group noted that KMG-U dispensers that deploy submunitions were in service for aircraft of the Algerian air force.[7] Also according to Jane’s, Algeria possesses Grad 122mm, Uragan 220mm, and Smerch 300mm surface-to-surface rockets, but it is not known if these include versions with submunition payloads.[8]

Contaminated by: landmines (heavy contamination)

Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 deadline: 1 April 2017
(On target to meet deadline) 

As of the end of 2015, 15 municipalities in four wilaya (provinces) were affected by antipersonnel mines, though the size of contaminated areas is not reported. By April 2016, clearance had reduced this to two contaminated wilaya, Guelma and Nâama. A total of 12.83km² of mined area was reportedly released during the course of 2015 with the destruction of 55,265 antipersonnel mines.

Contamination

The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is affected by antipersonnel mines as a result of World War II, the French colonial occupation, and the insurgency of the 1990s. During Algeria’s struggle for independence, mines were laid by the French along the Challe and Morice lines on the eastern and western borders of the country. Algeria has estimated that more than 10 million mines were laid.[1] Some 80% are blast mines, while most of the remainder are fragmentation mines.[2]

Between 1963 and 1988, some 500km² of mined area was cleared by manual and mechanical means, resulting in destruction of more than 7.8 million antipersonnel mines.[3] A second clearance phase began in November 2004, which continues to this day, resulting in the destruction of more than one million mines from 100km² of mined area by the end of 2015.[4] As of that date, fifteen municipalities in four wilaya remained affected (see table below).[5]

Antipersonnel mine contamination by province as at end 2015[6]

By April 2016, further clearance had reduced the number of contaminated wilaya to two (Guelma and Nâama), and by July 2016, clearance in Nâama was reportedly also complete.[7]

Occasionally, “isolated” antipersonnel mines are also found outside known mined areas. In addition, the north of the country is said to be contaminated by an unknown number of artisanal mines and other explosive items laid by insurgent groups.[8] 

Program Management

The Interministerial Committee on the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, set up by presidential decree in 2003, is the governmental focal point for all mine action activities in Algeria.

Operators

All demining in Algeria is carried out manually by the Algerian army.

Land Release

Clearance in 2015 

As in previous years, Algeria has not reported clearly on clearance for 2015. A total of 12.83km² of mined area was reportedly released in the course of 2015 with the destruction of 55,265 antipersonnel mines.[9] A further 79 mines were destroyed in 46 ad hoc clearance operations.[10]

In the west of the country, clearance of Tlemcen wilaya was completed in November 2015. The demining teams were due to be moved to Nâama wilaya, where demining was continuing in three municipalities: Nâama, Aïn Sefra, and Kasdir.[11] In the east of the country, demining in Tebessa wilaya was completed in August 2015, 18 months ahead of schedule, while operations in Souk-Ahras were close to completion by the end of the year. Additional demining was, though, needed in Guelma wilaya.[12]

Progress in 2016

As of early April 2016, demining operations were close to completion according to the Ministry of National Defence, with only a section in Nâama wilaya and, in the east, a section between Oum Tebboul and Tigrine left to release.[13] By July 2016, clearance in Nâama was reportedly complete also.[14] 

Article 5 Compliance

Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty (and in accordance with the five-year extension granted by States Parties in 2011), Algeria is required to destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 April 2017.

Algeria’s accelerated clearance in 2015 means it is on track to complete clearance in advance of its deadline.

The Monitor gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the Mine Action Review supported and published by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), which conducted mine action research in 2016 and shared it with the Monitor. The Monitor is responsible for the findings presented online and in its print publications.

The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria has estimated that more than 10 million landmines were laid along its eastern border with Tunisia and its western border with Morocco.[1] In its most recent Article 7 transparency report, submitted in May 2015, Algeria reported that mine contamination remains in 17 mined areas located in six wilayas in the northwest and east of the country.[2] All demining operations in Algeria are carried out by the army.

Algeria does not receive international support for its mine action program and it has never provided details of its funding needs, expenditure, or cost estimates from its national or military budget for clearance operations or victim assistance.

Action points based on findings

• Develop central data collection mechanisms on casualties and the needs of victims to improve planning of victim assistance.
• Formally endorse and implement the victim assistance action plan, developed in collaboration with NGOs and mine survivors.
• Ensure that all victims are registered and therefore able to receive pensions and other benefits; approximately 42% of all victims were unregistered.

Victim assistance commitments

The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is responsible for a significant number of survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) who are in need. Algeria has made commitments to provide victim assistance through the Mine Ban Treaty.

Algeria ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 4 December 2009.

Casualties Overview

In 2015, the Monitor identified 36 casualties from victim-activated IEDs (improvised mines) in Algeria.[1] As opposed to previous years, the majority (24) of casualties were civilians while the rest (12) were military and security forces. There were three child casualties in separate incidents; this was similar to 2014 when four child casualties were reported, but an increase from 2013, when none were recorded. Thirty casualties were male and two female (including one girl). It is likely that the total number of casualties was higher, due to a lack of official data collection, as annual casualty data has not been provided by the Interministerial Committee on the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty (Interministerial Committee) since 2008. Casualty data was gathered from media reports.[2]

The total of 36 casualties identified in 2015 marks a significant decrease after a regular rise in annual casualty numbers over a period of five years (88 in 2014; 78 in 2013; 51 in 2012; 35 in 2011; and 33 in 2010). However, the lack of a central data collection mechanism and annual casualty rate fluctuations in recent years make it difficult to identify trends.[3]

The total number of mine casualties in Algeria is unknown. As of March 2011, there were 2,325 mine survivors, as well as 439 widows and 739 descendants of victims killed in mine incidents registered with the Ministry of the Mujahidin.[4] In October 2009, it was reported in the media that there had been at least 6,762 mine casualties since 1962 (3,236 killed; 3,526 injured).[5] The total of 7,050 casualties reported by the Monitor represents this figure plus all casualties identified since October 2009. No information was available on casualties caused by ERW.

Victim Assistance

Based on casualty data gathered by the Monitor since then, it is estimated that, as of 31 December 2015, there were 3,754 mine/ERW survivors in Algeria. In October 2009, it was reported that there were at least 3,551 mine survivors in Algeria.[6] By March 2011, there were 2,325 registered mine survivors in Algeria.[7]

Victim assistance in 2015

Improvements in the accessibility of services and renewed interest from public authorities to make services more accessible to persons with disabilities were noticeable throughout 2015.[8] In particular, improvements were noticed in access to education and in the health sector, and in access to rehabilitation care and to benefits for mine/ERW survivors.[9] All registered victims, including survivors as well as the family members of those killed by mines, are entitled to benefits through the ministries of mujahidin, national solidarity, and health. These benefits include healthcare and pensions.[10] Civilian mine/ERW victims also have access to rehabilitation services provided at institutions dedicated to former combatants.[11] In 2013, the amount of this pension increased,[12] however, in November 2015, persons with disabilities and their families protested in Algiers to call for increased disability benefits.[13] Government statistics from 2013 stated there were two million individuals with disabilities in the country, and NGOs working with persons with disabilities agreed that number remained accurate, however, the Ministry of Solidarity stated that it paid disability benefits to only 830,000 persons with disabilities in 2015.[14]

Assessing victim assistance needs

Data from the Handicap International (HI) survivor identification process informed the development of a new Victim Assistance Action Plan finalized in March 2014, as well as in the implementation of economic integration micro-projects for mine/ERW victims and persons with disabilities funded by the Ministry of National Solidarity and the European Union.[15] In 2012, HI finalized the survivor identification process, which had begun in 2009.[16] HI, together with local NGOs, assessed the needs of survivors in six wilayas (provinces).

In August 2014, a survey on disability was launched by the National Study and Analysis Center (CENEAP). This survey aimed to build a long-term vision of the structures and training needed for improved assistance to persons with disabilities in Algeria.[17] The results of this study had not been shared as of August 2016.[18]

Victim assistance coordination[19]

The Interministerial Committee coordinates victim assistance in cooperation with the ministries of mujahidin, national solidarity, and of the interior.[20] In 2015, no victim assistance coordination meetings were organized.[21] Between March 2013 and February 2014, these meetings, coordinated by the Interministerial Committee and the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family, and the Status of Women, mostly focused on the development of a new victim assistance plan based on the needs assessment conducted by HI and partner NGOs. NGOs and representatives of persons with disabilities (from the National Council of Persons with Disabilities and the National Commission on Accessibility of Persons with Disabilities to physical, social, economic and cultural environment) were included in the development of this plan, which was finalized in March 2014.[22] As of August 2016, it was still awaiting formal adoption by the government.[23]

Algeria did submit its Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report for calendar year 2015.

Inclusion and participation in victim assistance

In 2014, survivors were included in the development and finalization of the new victim assistance action plan.[24] They were also involved in non-governmental coordination on victim assistance; in data collection on new victims; in orientation and referrals of victims and persons with disabilities towards available services; in economic inclusion projects; and in psychological support to survivors and their families.[25]

Service accessibility and effectiveness

Victim assistance activities in 2015[26]

In 2015, mine/ERW survivors as well as other persons with disabilities continued to have access to most orthopedic and assistive devices free-of-charge, while the National Employee Social Insurance Fund (Caisse Nationale des Assurances Sociales des Travailleurs Salariés, CNAS) covered 80% of the costs of smaller prosthetic devices and audio-equipment.[27] Furthermore, following the signature of a convention between the CNAS and the National Office for the Equipment of Persons with Disabilities (Office National d'Appareillages et Accessoires pour Personnes Handicapées, ONAAPH) in 2015, 50 new types of rehabilitative, mobility, and orthopedic devices were made available to persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW victims.[28]

Algerian authorities have taken steps to reduce the administrative and bureaucratic barriers for persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW victims, to improve access to social services and access to financial support and, in particular, for transport and education by opening a specific desk for vulnerable persons at the offices of the Directorate of Social Action and Solidarity (Direction de l'action sociale et de solidarité, DASS) in all wilayas.[29]

HI implemented programmes to facilitates dialogue between the associations working in the disability field, civil society organizations, and the public authorities in order to enable inclusive public policies aimed at advancing the rights of persons with disabilities to be developed, implemented, and monitored. HI also implemented a pilot project on inclusive education in Setif and Tizi Ouzou to enhance and broaden the access of children with disabilities to the education system in Algeria. HI works with children with disabilities in Algeria to improve both in specialized institutions and the mainstream school system, as well as training teachers in inclusive education.[30]

The law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, in education, in access to healthcare, and in the provision of other state services. However, the government did not effectively enforce the law in 2015 and there was widespread societal discrimination against persons with disabilities. Few government buildings were accessible to persons with disabilities.[31]

In April 2014, the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family, and the Status of Women established the National Council of Handicapped Persons in response to a 2006 presidential decree. It serves as a consultative organ to study problems such as accessibility for persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW survivors.[32] In 2015, the ministry provided some financial support to healthcare-oriented NGOs, but for many NGOs such financial support represented a small fraction of their budgets.[33]

In 2015, Algeria acceded to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.[34]