Algérie Presse Service (APS) - Feb. 26, 2013
Algeria has reiterated today in Geneva through its Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mourad Medelci, its commitment to strongly advance human rights and, at the same time, to lead the fight in support of development and growth.

In a speech delivered before the high-level segment of the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Mr. Medelci indicated that "Algeria avails itself of this opportunity to reiterate its commitment in support of human rights and to solicit the support of friendly countries and partners for its candidacy to the Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term at the elections scheduled to take place in November 2013 on the occasion of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly."

"Algeria strives to expand the democratic progress achieved in the course of enforcing its human rights policy, in conjunction with the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, in order to consolidate the social gains and social cohesion," Mr. Medelci said.

He also noted that "the efforts deployed by the government and the Algerian people have made it possible to achieve most of the Millennium Development Goals, which led the United Nations to select Algeria to take part in the post-2015 agenda consultations."

For the head of Algerian diplomacy, "one of Algeria's major objectives is to achieve a qualitative leap in performance of public services available throughout its territory"

At the same time, the minister underscored the reforms initiated by the president of the Republic, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and which "have led to significant progress". To that end, he cited various laws that have been promulgated to "further advance the political field, increase media freedom, expand electoral control, consolidate collective organizations and introduce a rate of women's representation in elected assemblies no lower than 30%."

In that respect, he pointed out that "these achievements reinforce our commitment to continue to build a fairer, more fraternal and more supportive society," considering that Algeria, like other countries, "still has ways to go" so that "human rights become fully effective."

Moreover, Mr. Medelci underlined Algeria's adhesion to the convention on the rights of disabled people, as well as measures it has taken in support of that vulnerable category of citizens.

"Algeria continues to observe the moratorium on death penalty and is volunteering to co-author the General Assembly annual resolution and has observer status at the proceedings of the international commission on death penalty," he added.