Algeria heads for crucial vote

2005-09-29 08:27

Algiers - Algeria is to vote on Thursday on a controversial peace charter, presented by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as the only hope of ending over a decade of bloodshed, but which opponents dismiss as a pretext to extend presidential powers.

Bouteflika has led a vigorous campaign urging voters to back his Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, a key tenet of which is an effective amnesty for many of the armed Islamic militants who rose up after the army cancelled an election in 1992 which their politicians were set to win.

The insurgency has claimed around 150 000 lives since 1992, while 40 people have been killed in September during the campaigning.

If approved, the charter would end legal proceedings against detained, exiled or fugitive Islamic extremists "who have already halted their armed activity and surrendered to the authorities".

'Won't bring peace'

Only "those involved in mass massacres, rapes and bomb attacks in public places" would be excluded from the amnesty.

Opposition and human rights groups, however, have urged voters to reject the charter saying it merely sweeps years of suffering under the carpet and gives the president sweeping new powers.

The Socialist Forces Front (FFS) says it "cannot endorse a text that glorifies force and deprecates political mediation, consecrates impunity and amnesty, and in the end negotiates away pain and suffering".

Meanwhile the independent League for the Defence of Human Rights (LADDH) described the referendum as "scandalous and absurd", claiming "nobody has a right to vote no".

"We're not against peace and reconciliation, but we do oppose this charter since we don't think it will bring peace," LADDH President Abdennour Ali-Yahia said of the text.

"The head of state will be able to rule by decree and curtail all liberties by claiming that this charter is a people's mandate."

Almost one million Algerians living overseas, including over 750 000 in France, began voting in the referendum on Saturday.

- AFP