The Dublin Initiative on Algeria. Feb. 2002.

Towards a Framework for a Peaceful, Just and Political Settlement in Algeria.

The signatories of this Initiative unreservedly commit themselves to the following principles and values :

• All forms of violence and force are repudiated as a means of resolving political problems.
• Full adherence to and respect and promotion of fundamental freedoms and Human Rights as contained in the United Nations Charter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the obligations under International Law in particular those arising out of Regional and International Instruments to which Algeria is a party.
• The Declaration of 1 November 1954 : 'The restoration of a sovereign, democratic and social Algerian State on the strength of the principles of Islam.' ( Article 1 )
• Acceptance of Universal Suffrage as the only means of the alternation of political power.
• Guarantee of the fundamental equality of all citizens irrespective of race, gender, religion or language.
• Full acceptance of the principle of Political Pluralism.
• The non-intervention of the Algerian Armed Forces in political Affairs and their return to their Constitutional duties to safeguarding National Unity and the Indivisibility of the National Territory.
• The Constituent elements of the Algerian personality are Islam., Arabism and Amazighism. The culture and the two languages that contribute to the development of that personality should be accorded their proper status and should be promoted within this unifying framework without exclusion or marginalisation.
• The acceptance of the separation of Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers.
• Freedom and respect for all Religious Faiths.
• The will of the Algerian People is supreme and confers legitimacy on political institutions and a solution to the present crisis is the exclusive right of all Algerians and is to be found internally within Algeria.

  Confidence Building Measures to be implemented immediately.

  • The Lifting of the State of emergency and the repeal of all restrictions on fundamental freedoms, and on the right of free expression of opinion, the right of free association and Assembly and of the right to travel.
  • The immediate cessation of all violence by armed groups .
  • The repeal of the political ban on the F.I.S..
  • The opening of the political field to all political parties.
  • The lifting of restrictions on the media and an end to censorship and the banning of newspapers and books.
  • The guarantee of the safe return of all exiles.
  • The undertaking of the military Institutions to respect and abide by the outcome of democratic elections and to withdraw from political life of the nation.
  • The effective and verifiable ending of all violations of human rights, the practice of torture, summary executions and disappearances.
  • The liberation of all political leaders including the F.I.S. leaders, Cheiks Madani Abassi and Ali Benhadji.
  • The effective and verifiable disarming of all state-armed militias and civilians.
  • The setting up of an expert, independent and impartial Commission of Inquiry to investigate all major violations of Human Rights since 1988 and particularly the collective massacres and disappearances . Its terms of reference would include the naming of those responsible for these violations of human rights and recommendations for sanctions against the perpetrators and just compensation for the relatives and victims of these human rights violations.

  This Initiative follows on from the Rome Platform of 1994 and we feel it is now opportune and necessary for a Initiative like this to be supported by the International Community and the Algerian Authorities. The people of Algeria have a right to live in a peaceful and just society free from the threats of violence and infringements of their human rights.