Human Rights Body Demands Release of Algerian Christian Detained for Abandoning Islam

The organization’s President, Mervyn Thomas, says in the August 31 report that Buhafss’ arrest and repatriation from Tunisia is a violation of the country’s regional and constitutional obligations.

“CSW is alarmed at the arrest and subsequent refoulement of Sulieman Buhafss in violation of Tunisia’s international, regional and constitutional obligations,” Mr. Mervyn says.

He adds, “In returning Mr. Buhafss to Algeria, the Tunisian authorities have handed him over to a government which is already responsible for comprehensive violations of his right to freedom of religion or belief.”

“We call on the Algerian authorities to ensure that Mr. Buhafss is released immediately and without condition, and that he does not face further spurious charges relating to his religious belief,” the CSW President says.

According to the report by the Christian foundation, Mr. Buhafss is expected to be tried for his membership in the Movement for Self-Determination for the Kabylie (Le MAK), a political organization that defends the rights of the Berber people, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the Algerian authorities in May 2021.

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The 53-year-old is said to have converted to Christianity over 20 years ago and founded the St. Augustin Commission for Defending Algerian Christians.

Prior to his arrest in 2016, Mr. Buhafss regularly discussed issues relating to Christianity and Islam on social media, CSW leadership has reported.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.