The Canadian government has decided to remain silent in response to the sentence in absentia in Algeria of Lazhar Zouaimia, a Canadian of Algerian origin, to five years in prison. The human rights activist, a member of Amnesty International, is considered a troublemaker in his country of origin because of his commitment. The Algerian judiciary has notably criminalized his online activities, conducted from Montreal, where he denounced the draconian laws that the Algerian executive branch has enacted since 2019.

The sentencing of Lazhar Zouaimia in Algeria

Lazhar Zouaimia returned to Canada last May after being illegally detained, according to his defense Algeria. Julius Gray, the human rights activist’s lawyer, wrote in a letter dated November 4 to the Courrier du Sud website that his client was deeply saddened by his verdict. “He knows he won’t be able to return to his home country any time soon. He fears the possible negative impact on members of his family and even worries about the possible impact on his professional and personal life in Canada.

In the face of this situation, the Canadian government is playing the cautious card, and this seems to frustrate part of Canadian public opinion.

Canada’s silence after Lazhar Zouaimia’s sentencing in Algeria

In an interview with Le Devoir newspaper, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said there is a Canadian citizen who was in Algeria and is now back in Canada, but she refused to comment on the Algerian court’s decision on Mr Zouaimia .

This silence on the part of the Canadian authorities regarding Mr Zouaimia’s situation is all the more incomprehensible given that his lawyer, Julius Grey, who is defending Mr Zouaimia, called the highest Canadian authorities earlier this month to respond with clarity and firmness on such attacks on the human rights ‘ we can read.

“It is important to solemnly reaffirm that all Canadian citizens are equal before the law, including those with dual nationality, and that none of them can be punished for acts committed on their territory which are also authorized by law and.” are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” the judge continues.