French Interior Minister’s Provocative Tactics: Discriminatory Treatment of Algerian Travelers Breaches International Agreements

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | January 27th, 2025 — Amid the escalating tensions between France and Algeria, the French government’s actions have taken a disturbing turn, with reports emerging of blatant discrimination against Algerian travelers at French airports. In what seems to be a deliberate act of retaliation, the French airport authorities, under the guidance of far-right Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, have been accused of systematically degrading the services provided to Algerians, subjecting them to punitive measures designed to inconvenience and intimidate.

Eyewitness accounts from Algerian passport holders reveal a stark picture of discriminatory treatment, particularly at Paris airports, where passengers have faced repeated instances of extended delays, racial profiling, and unequal service. According to the testimonies, upon the arrival of Algerian travelers, airport authorities close all but one desk, subjecting them to disproportionately long waits and exhaustive checks. Such procedures are not only unreasonably lengthy but also exceed the usual waiting times imposed on other international passengers, raising concerns about the targeted nature of these actions.

Several passengers described their experiences as “punitive” and “degrading,” echoing the sentiments of those who have long been victims of systemic xenophobia under the leadership of Interior Minister Darmanin. His actions align with the broader anti-Algerian sentiment he has repeatedly expressed, exacerbating an already fraught political relationship between the two nations.

Despite calls for restraint from his colleagues in the French government, including Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who has urged Darmanin to curb his inflammatory rhetoric and avoid escalating tensions with Algeria, the far-right minister has remained obstinate. Le Drian and other diplomatic figures, including government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye, have publicly called for a focus on strengthening ties through dialogue and diplomacy, particularly through the channels of the French presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rather than through the provocative and discriminatory measures currently being employed at airports.

Minister Darmanin’s continued actions, including the mistreatment of Algerian nationals, not only contravene international regulations protecting the rights of travelers but also serve to undermine any progress made towards improving bilateral relations between France and Algeria. The imposition of excessive delays, arbitrary checks, and the reduction of available services for Algerian travelers contradicts the principles of equality and fairness that govern the treatment of passengers in international airports.

These actions, while perhaps serving the short-term objectives of a minister who has sought to deepen France’s far-right agenda, have sparked a renewed wave of diplomatic criticism, with experts warning that such behavior could inflame the already fragile diplomatic situation and jeopardize the interests of France in Algeria. The French Foreign Minister has, on several occasions, expressed concerns about the growing diplomatic fallout from such provocations and their potential consequences for French interests in Algeria.

Through these discriminatory practices, Minister Darmanin is not only breaching fundamental international agreements designed to protect travelers but also contributing to the deterioration of relations between the two countries. As such, his behavior runs counter to the wishes of those in the French government who seek to stabilize relations with Algeria and avoid further tensions, in line with the broader goals outlined by the Élysée Palace.

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