CCPR/C/121/D/2283/2013
Committee’s general comment No. 16 (1988) on the right to privacy and its jurisprudence,2
argues that the circumstances of Mahmoud Boudjema’s arrest, which was conducted with
brutality and without a warrant, constitute a violation of article 17 attributable to the State
party, in respect of both himself and his father.
3.9
Recalling that article 23 (1) of the Covenant provides for the right to protection of
the family, the author argues that the disappearance of Mahmoud Boudjema, which
deprived his family of a father and husband, constitutes a violation of that article, in respect
of both the family and his father.
3.10 Lastly, the author recalls that article 2 (3) guarantees access to effective remedies for
any person claiming a violation of any of his rights protected by the Covenant. He
maintains that Mahmoud Boudjema, a victim of enforced disappearance, is de facto unable
to exercise any remedy. Based on the jurisprudence of the Committee, he further recalls the
obligation of the State party to conduct inquiries into alleged violations of human rights, to
prosecute the presumed perpetrators and punish them, and he considers that the lack of
response on the part of the Algerian authorities to the requests of the victim’s wife
constitutes a breach of the State party’s obligations under article 2 of the Covenant. Lastly,
he maintains that Ordinance No. 06-01, and specifically its article 45, constitutes a violation
of the State party’s obligation to ensure an effective remedy. Accordingly, he asked the
Committee to recognize that a violation has occurred of article 2 (3) read alone and in
conjunction with articles 6, 7, 9, 10 and 16 of the Covenant.
3.11 The author requests that the Committee find: (a) a violation of articles 2 (3), 6 (1), 7,
9 (1–4), 10 (1), 16, 17 and 23 (1) in respect of Mahmoud Boudjema; and (b) a violation of
articles 2 (3), 7, 17 and 23 (1) in respect of himself. He also asks the Committee to request
the State party: (a) to release Mahmoud Boudjema if he is still alive; (b) to provide him
with an effective remedy, including by conducting a thorough and effective investigation
into the father’s enforced disappearance; (c) to inform him and his family about the results
of the investigation and provide appropriate compensation to the victim, the author and his
family for the violations they have suffered; and (d) to provide reparation to Mahmoud
Boudjema or his beneficiaries for the violations they have suffered. Lastly, he requests the
Committee to call upon the State party: (a) to initiate criminal proceedings against those
presumed to be responsible for the disappearance of Mahmoud Boudjema, to try them and
punish them, notwithstanding the Ordinance implementing the Charter for Peace and
National Reconciliation; and (b) to take appropriate measures to ensure that such violations
do not recur.
Further submissions and requests from the authors
4.
On 21 November 2013, the author’s counsel informed the Committee that
Abdelkader Boudjema had on 13 November 2013 been summoned to the community
gendarmerie brigade office covering his place of residence, the village of Emir Abdelkader.
The gendarmes reportedly asked about the circumstances of his father’s disappearance,
without issuing him any record or documentation. The author claims to have received a
threat of criminal prosecution under article 46 of Ordinance No. 06-01. Accordingly, the
author’s counsel has requested the Committee to remind the State party to refrain from
harassing or taking criminal measures against the author or members of his family. On 22
November 2013, in its correspondence with the State party, the Committee pointed to rule
92 of its rules of procedure and reiterated its request to refrain from invoking domestic
legislation, and specifically Ordinance No. 06-01, against the author and members of his
family.
State party’s observations
5.1
On 4 May 2015, the State party contested the admissibility of all the
communications concerning the period from 1993 to 1998, submitting a copy of its
background memorandum.
2
GE.17-21416
See communication No. 687/1996, Rojas García v. Colombia, Views adopted on 3 April 2001, para.
10.3.
5