Algeria re-introduces the law withdrawing citizenship for dissidents and residents abroad – Algerian Al-Hiwar newspaper

The National People’s Assembly is preparing to discuss a controversial law proposal regarding the withdrawal of Algerian citizenship next Saturday and Sunday, after it was presented by MP Hisham Safar from the National Democratic Rally, and approved by the Parliament Office. The project, which was re-introduced after being withdrawn four years ago, aims to

To enable the state to withdraw citizenship from every Algerian residing outside the country who performs acts that harm the interests of the state or threatens its national unity, shows loyalty to another country, or provides support to a foreign country in a way that harms national security,

While ensuring the rights of those involved in the procedure and their right to defense and regain citizenship after the reasons have disappeared.

The text stipulates that deprivation of citizenship occurs through a presidential decree after warning the person concerned within a period not exceeding sixty days.

With the possibility of announcing it via the press or electronic notification. The proposal also includes cases of dealing with foreign forces, terrorist groups, or entities hostile to Algeria.

The law comes as part of efforts to modernize national legislation to protect state security and adapt the nationality law to the constitution.

Based on international standards that allow the stripping of citizenship in exceptional cases that do not affect the basic rights of those concerned.

This proposal recalls the previous experience of a similar project in 2021, about which widespread controversy arose in political and legal circles.

This led to the intervention of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to withdraw it due to fears that it would be misused against opponents or dual nationalities, stressing at the time that Algeria accepts multiple nationalities and considers it positive for the country.