Kamel Daoud Targeted by International Arrest Warrants: A Case of Literary Persecution?

Kamel Daoud, the acclaimed Franco-Algerian writer, finds himself once again at odds with the Algerian authorities. News has surfaced that Daoud is now the subject of two international arrest warrants issued by a judge in Oran, a city in western Algeria. This development, initially reported by Le Point and confirmed by Le Figaro on Tuesday, May 6th, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the writer and the Algerian government.

The first warrant was reportedly issued by Interpol Algeria in March, with the second following in early May. According to Me Jacqueline Laffont, Daoud’s lawyer, these warrants are "manifestly launched by the Algerian authorities for political considerations." While inquiries to Me Laffont remain unanswered at this time, her initial statement strongly suggests that the warrants are not based on legitimate legal grounds but rather represent an attempt to silence a dissenting voice.

The fact that Daoud, a recipient of the prestigious Goncourt Prize in 2024 for his novel Houris, is facing such severe measures for his literary work is particularly alarming. Houris tells the story of a young woman who survived the "dark decade" (1992-2002) in Algeria, a period marked by widespread violence and civil conflict. The novel, critically acclaimed internationally, has been banned in Algeria, further highlighting the government’s disapproval of Daoud’s perspective.

The warrants appear to stem from multiple complaints filed against Daoud in connection with his novel. These complaints, all lodged since the publication of Houris, are likely the basis for the international arrest warrants.

One of the most significant complaints, and likely the primary justification for the warrants, accuses Daoud of "violating the law on national reconciliation." This charge is based on a 2005 law, enacted under the regime of President Bouteflika, which carries a potential prison sentence of 3 to 5 years. The law targets "anyone who, through their statements, writings or any other act, uses or exploits the wounds of the national tragedy to undermine the institutions of the Algerian Democratic and Popular Republic, weaken the State, damage the honorability of its agents who have served it with dignity, or tarnish the image of Algeria internationally."

This law has been widely criticized as a tool for suppressing dissent and preventing open discussion of the events of the "dark decade." Critics argue that it effectively shields the government and its agents from accountability for potential human rights abuses committed during that period. By invoking this law against Daoud, the Algerian authorities are signaling their intention to silence any narrative that challenges the official version of history.

The vagueness of the law also raises concerns. The broad language regarding "tarnishing the image of Algeria" leaves it open to subjective interpretation and potential abuse. It allows the authorities to target any individual or work that they deem critical of the government or its policies, even if those criticisms are based on factual evidence.

In addition to the charge of violating the law on national reconciliation, Daoud also faces a separate complaint for "invasion of privacy." This complaint, filed in November 2024 in Oran, was brought by a woman who claims that Daoud used her personal story in Houris without her consent and violated the confidentiality of her medical records.

Daoud has vehemently denied these accusations, maintaining that Houris is a work of fiction inspired by his experiences as a journalist for Le Quotidien d’Oran in the 1990s. He insists that the characters and events in his novel are not direct representations of real individuals but rather composites drawn from his observations and research.

The timing of these legal actions against Daoud is also noteworthy. The issuance of international arrest warrants suggests a deliberate attempt to restrict his movement and potentially extradite him to Algeria. This would allow the Algerian authorities to prosecute him on their own terms, away from the scrutiny of the international community.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Daoud is scheduled to appear in court in Paris on Wednesday, May 7th, for a preliminary hearing in the "invasion of privacy" case. This suggests that the legal battles surrounding Houris are unfolding on multiple fronts, both in Algeria and in France.

The case of Kamel Daoud raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and the protection of writers and artists in Algeria. The use of vaguely worded laws to silence dissenting voices is a worrying trend that undermines democratic principles. The international community must closely monitor this situation and hold the Algerian authorities accountable for their actions. The pursuit of Daoud through international arrest warrants appears to be a politically motivated attempt to suppress his literary work and silence his critical voice. This act of apparent persecution demands international attention and condemnation. The freedom to write and express oneself without fear of reprisal is a fundamental human right, and it must be defended in the face of such blatant attempts at censorship. The case of Kamel Daoud underscores the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in Algeria and the challenges faced by writers who dare to challenge the official narrative.