---
title: "Why was Nassera Dutour denied entry to Algeria?A decisive hearing on 26 January 2026"
slug: "why-was-nassera-dutour-denied-entry-to-algeria"
post_type: "post"
published_at: "2026-01-26T18:40:15+01:00"
modified_at: "2026-01-27T17:40:38+01:00"
author: "ahamdy"
url: "https://cihrs.org/why-was-nassera-dutour-denied-entry-to-algeria/?lang=en"
category:
  - "International Advocacy Program"
causes_and_rights:
  - "Protection of Human Rights Defenders"
country:
  - "Algeria"
field:
  - "Regional and International Protection and Advocacy"
interest:
  - "Statements and Positions"
---

# Why was Nassera Dutour denied entry to Algeria?A decisive hearing on 26 January 2026

*On 26 January 2026, Nassera Dutour, President of the Collective of Families of the Disappeared in Algeria (CFDA), is expected to learn the grounds for her denial of entry to Algerian territory, despite being an Algerian citizen. The Administrative Court of Algiers will examine her application for annulment, in a context where the Ministry of the Interior, although duly notified, has provided no response. This incident, serious in itself, illustrates Algeria’s further slide into authoritarianism.* Nassera Dutour, holding an Algerian passport, disembarks from her flight and presents herself at Algiers border control on 30 July 2025. After being questioned and held for several hours, she is ultimately denied entry and sent back to Paris in an entirely arbitrary manner. No justification is provided, neither administrative nor judicial. Her passports are confiscated and later returned to her onboard the return flight. They are accompanied by a refusal-of-entry report, unsigned and stating no grounds. This is unsurprising, as Article 49 of the Algerian Constitution guarantees every Algerian citizen the right to enter national territory. Upon returning to France, Ms Dutour initiated legal proceedings. A collective of lawyers was formed for her defence, and an application for annulment was filed and registered by the Administrative Court of Algiers on 14 August 2025. The Ministry of the Interior, notified three weeks later, has to date submitted no response to the Court. After several months of proceedings and exchanges between the lawyers and the Algerian administration, the case was finally placed under judicial review before the Administrative Court of Algiers, which was closed last week. **A human rights defender who is being targeted**  In Algeria and internationally, Nassera Dutour is a well-known figure in the defence of human rights. In June 2025, she took part in the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of the delegation of the Francophone Feminist Alliance. She spoke at a side event organised by FIDH on gender-based violence in the North Africa and Middle East region. *“The arbitrary denial of entry imposed on Nassera Dutour, despite her being an Algerian citizen, constitutes a serious violation of fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. There is an obvious link between Nassera’s activism and work and what happened to her”* stated Mr. Aissa Rahmoune, Secretary General of FIDH. *“This illegitimate decision appears to be a sanction. The Algerian authorities fear a feminist figure who fights against impunity, and for truth and justice. This incident speaks volumes about the mindset of those in power.”*  **A serious violation of fundamental freedoms**  The denial of entry of Nassera Dutour constitutes a direct violation of the rights to freedom of movement, expression and association, as enshrined in international human rights standards. It also aims to hinder the legitimate cooperation of human rights defenders with international bodies, in violation of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.  FIDH, its member organisations and partners call on the Algerian authorities to:** 1. **Annul the decision denying entry** to Nassera Dutour and guarantee her unconditional right to enter and move freely within Algerian territory;
2. **Put an end to any form of reprisals, surveillance or intimidation** against Ms Dutour, her lawyers and members of the CFDA;
3. **Fully comply with Algeria’s international obligations**, particularly with regard to the protection of human rights defenders and cooperation with United Nations mechanisms;
4. **Guarantee the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary**, including through the effective participation of the Ministry of the Interior in the ongoing proceedings before the **Administrative Court of Algiers**.
 
 FIDH, its member organisations and partners will remain fully mobilised and will closely monitor the outcome of the hearing scheduled for 26 January 2026 before the **Administrative Court of Algiers**. **List of signatory organisations:** 1. International Federation for Human Rights
2. Tunisian Association of Democratic Women
3. Lebanese Center for Human Rights
4. Collective for the Safeguard of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights
5. EuroMed Rights
6. Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights
7. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
8. League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran
9. League of Human Rights
10. Moroccan Organisation of Human Rights
11. Ethiopian Human Rights Council
12. Riposte international
13. Norwegian Helsinki Committee
14. Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan