France’s Breach of Consular Obligations, Bilateral Agreements: A Hostile Campaign Against Algeria! – Dzair Tube Sources

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | January 19th, 2025 — In a desperate bid to cling to its waning influence, France has launched a vicious campaign of distortion, hostility, and unfounded accusations against Algeria. This reckless endeavor, spearheaded by far-right ideologues, complicit government officials, and biased media outlets, marks a disgraceful chapter in Franco-Algerian relations, laying bare France’s entrenched neo-colonial mindset.

The crux of France’s latest diplomatic debacle lies in its flagrant violation of international laws and bilateral agreements with Algeria, most notably the 1974 convention on consular relations and the 1968 Franco-Algerian Agreement. These agreements, designed to promote mutual respect and cooperation, have been systematically eroded by Paris’ heavy-handed policies and institutional bias, revealing a state mired in arrogance and duplicity.

The Theater of Hostility: France’s Manufactured Controversies

At the center of France’s malicious rhetoric is its arbitrary deportation policies, epitomized by the case of an Algerian national whose rights were trampled upon without due process. The French administration’s refusal to adhere to established consular notification protocols is not only a violation of Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations but also a blatant affront to basic human decency.

Even as Algeria upheld its obligations with a remarkable 70-80% processing rate for laissez-passer documents, French officials shamelessly peddled lies, accusing Algeria of non-cooperation. This manufactured controversy, steeped in colonial arrogance, exposes France’s cynical strategy: deflecting blame for its own failures by demonizing Algeria.

France’s Far-Right Symbiosis: A Toxic Nexus of Politics and Media

The unholy alliance between France’s far-right demagogues and its media elite has fueled this hostile campaign. Figures like Marine Le Pen, Éric Zemmour, and Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, emboldened by platforms such as Le Point, have weaponized anti-Algerian sentiment to score cheap political points.

Their rhetoric, steeped in colonial nostalgia and racial prejudice, has permeated the corridors of power, normalizing hostility toward Algeria. This toxic climate not only deepens the rift between the two nations but also erodes France’s standing on the global stage, reducing it to a pariah of its own making.

Macron’s Spectacular Failure: Diplomacy Reduced to Theater

President Emmanuel Macron’s erratic approach to Algerian relations has been nothing short of disastrous. From his inflammatory accusations against Algeria to his government’s paternalistic tone, Macron has demonstrated a staggering inability to navigate post-colonial dynamics with maturity and respect.

His outrageous claim that Algeria ‘dishonored itself’ over the denial of medical treatment to Boualem Sansal, a naturalized French writer, was met with widespread condemnation across Africa. This neo-colonial grandstanding has united political voices in Algeria, Senegal, Chad, and beyond, who see through France’s thinly veiled attempts to reassert dominance over its former colonies.

Eroding Agreements, Flouting Rights

According to Dzair Tube sources, France’s disregard for its commitments under the 1968 Franco-Algerian Agreement is emblematic of its broader strategy to undermine Algerian sovereignty. By imposing restrictive interpretations of the agreement, France has systematically stripped Algerians of their rights, violating the spirit of reciprocity and cooperation upon which the accord was built.

1. Deliberate Failure to Inform Algerian Consulates

Under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), all signatory states are required to promptly notify the consulate of a foreign national upon their arrest or detention. French authorities, however, systematically fail to notify Algerian consulates about the detention of their nationals.

• Consequences: This omission prevents the implementation of consular protection measures, which include legal assistance, psychological support, and the safeguarding of fundamental detainee rights.
• Concrete Example: Numerous documented cases reveal Algerian nationals detained in France who were deprived of consular support in blatant violation of the convention.

2. Disregard for the Fundamental Rights of Algerian Detainees

French practices contravene international standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

• Violated Rights:
  • Right to a fair trial (Article 6 of the ECHR),
  • Right to be informed of the reasons for arrest,
  • Right to humane and dignified treatment in detention.
• Example: Algerian detainees have reported degrading detention conditions and limited access to interpreters or legal counsel.

3. Abusive Solicitation of Consular Passports

French authorities frequently request consular travel documents (laissez-passer) for Algerian detainees, despite failing to notify Algerian consulates of their detention within the required timeframe.

• Problem: This practice creates a vicious cycle, rendering consulates unable to act effectively due to the lack of timely information.
• Impact: It delays administrative and judicial procedures, prolonging the detention of Algerian nationals unnecessarily.

Weakening of the 1968 Agreement

The Franco-Algerian Agreement of 1968 was intended to guarantee specific rights for Algerian nationals in France, particularly regarding residency, employment, and social protection. However, judicial decisions in France have gradually eroded its substance.

1. Curtailment of Algerian Nationals’ Rights

• Restrictive Interpretation: The French Council of State and administrative courts have adopted increasingly narrow interpretations of the agreement’s provisions, undermining its applicability.
• Example: Algerian nationals have been denied residency permits or social rights, even in situations explicitly covered by the 1968 agreement.

2. Contradiction with the Spirit of the Agreement

The 1968 agreement was based on principles of cooperation and reciprocity between France and Algeria. Recent judicial decisions in France run counter to this spirit, disrupting the balance of bilateral relations.

The ANEF Platform: A Major Bureaucratic Obstacle

The ANEF (Digital Administration for Foreign Nationals in France) platform, ostensibly designed to streamline administrative procedures, has instead become a significant hurdle for Algerian nationals.

1. Platform Dysfunction

• Complexity and Delays: The online procedures are often convoluted and unintuitive, discouraging users.
• Lack of Transparency: Decisions issued via the ANEF platform are often opaque, with insufficient explanations provided.

2. Impact on Algerian Nationals

• Procedural Delays: Application processing times are excessively long, leaving applicants in limbo.
• Challenges for Dual Nationals: Even individuals holding French nationality face difficulties, raising concerns about systemic discrimination.

Controversy Over Consular Passports

Algerian consular offices demonstrate remarkable diligence in processing laissez-passer requests, achieving a completion rate of 70-80%. Nevertheless, French authorities attempt to shift the blame onto Algeria.

1. Misleading Claims by French Authorities

• Unfounded Allegations: The French Ministry of the Interior accuses Algeria of non-cooperation, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
• Objective: This rhetoric aims to deflect attention from the shortcomings of French authorities, particularly their failure to notify arrests in a timely manner.

Algeria’s Resolute Response: Sovereignty Above All

Algeria has emerged from this crisis with its dignity intact, refusing to bow to France’s coercive tactics. The measured response from Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights the nation’s commitment to sovereignty and mutual respect, forcing Paris into a humiliating retreat.

French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine’s sudden shift to conciliatory rhetoric is a testament to Algeria’s diplomatic strength and resilience. France’s desperate backpedaling, however, cannot undo the damage wrought by its arrogance and incompetence.

The Global Fallout: Africa Rejects France’s Neo-Colonial Ploys

France’s diminishing influence in Africa has been laid bare by its clumsy handling of this crisis. Leaders across the continent, from Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno of Chad to Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko, have openly denounced Macron’s condescending tone and outdated imperialist attitudes.

This wave of resistance underscores a broader shift in Africa’s geopolitical landscape, where nations like Algeria are asserting their sovereignty and rejecting France’s attempts to meddle in their affairs. The era of unchecked French dominance is over, replaced by a new paradigm of dignity, equality, and self-determination.

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