Algeria : A Member of Parliament calls for capital punishment for transgender people

During a parliamentary session dedicated to discussing the draft Criminal Procedure Code, Ben Amar Fawzi, member of an Islamist party, provoked strong reactions by calling for the introduction of the death penalty not only for individuals convicted of pedophilia but also for transgender people.

In a particularly harsh statement, he declared: “You are either a man or a woman—there is no such thing as half-man or half-woman,” thus denying the existence of gender identities that do not conform to traditional norms. His remarks shocked many Algerians and come at a time of increasing political tension.

Although the death penalty remains part of Algeria’s legal framework, it has not been applied for nearly thirty years. However, Ben Amar Fawzi’s comments reflect the ongoing presence of a conservative and repressive political current that advocates not only for maintaining the death penalty but also expanding its use. Such proposals run counter to fundamental human rights, particularly those related to gender identity and personal freedom.

This dangerous and backward proposal has been condemned by many voices within civil society and feeds into a broader and urgent debate on liberties and fundamental rights in Algeria, where sexual and gender minorities are increasingly targeted.

See : Le Matin d’Algérie, La radio des sans voix