A European Parliament delegation visited Algeria in February to try to establish links with the Algerian parliament and with elements of Algerian civil society. Parliament had adopted a resolution in September last proposing such a delegation. The resolution had condemned the massacres, called on political and religious leaders to do all they could to halt them, called on the authorities to open dialogue with democratic political forces, and requested EU states not to repatriate Algerian nationals against their will.
The object of the visit was two-fold: to establish whether or not the Algerian parliament had any democratic credibility; and if so, to establish how the European Parliament might assist in its development. In order to obtain permission to make the visit, Parliament had to undertake not to make contact with outlawed organisations.
During the visit, the delegation met the Algerian government authorities, the parties in the Algerian parliament, and with elements of civil society. The latter included newspaper publishers, the national human rights monitoring unit, human rights NGOs, the association of families of victims of terrorism, the Collective of Democratic Women, the President of the High Islamic Council and the Archbishop of Algiers.
The delegation's conclusions were that an elected opposition to the government existed; that Algeria was in the process of developing a democratic society; that the European Parliament should remain in touch to offer whatever assistance it could to democratic forces, and that the EU should assist Algeria to deal with its desperate economic and social situation.
The delegation was not in Algeria to conduct a human rights investigation into the activities of government forces; such a mission was excluded by virtue of the undertakings given. It was clear to the delegation that virtually everyone they met was convinced that the massacres were being carried out by outlawed organisations and not by government forces. A controversial aspect of the visit was the fact that the leader of the delegation, Andre Soulier (F, EPP), publicly tore up a message from the FIS, the principal outlawed organisation. He did so because of the delegation's undertaking not to make contact with such a group. The Parliament subsequently made the point that leaders of FIS have already spoken at an EP hearing, and are free to make contact with Parliament at any time, in Europe.
The delegation was encouraged that the line they took was supported by everyone to whom they spoke, including, for example, the leaders of the Muslim and Catholic communities. The delegation's report has been submitted to the President of the Parliament, and Parliament's delegation for relations with the Maghreb is responsible for future relations with Algeria.