AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA

April 30, 1999 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Haenn: +1 202 544-0200 ext.225

FIRST LADY HILARY CLINTON SUPPORTS ALGERIAN MOTHERS OF THE "DISAPPEARED"

WASHINGTON, D.C. At a meeting with a delegation of Algerian Mothers of the "Disappeared", an Algerian human rights lawyer, and Amnesty International USA officials today, First Lady Hilary Clinton agreed to bring the issue of "disappearances" in Algeria to the broadest possible audience and expressed support for Amnesty International's request that the US government approach Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on access for the UN working group on "disappearances" and for non-governmental organizations, and urge the Algerian government to schedule visits from the UN special rapporteurs on torture and extra-judicial executions.

"We are delighted that Ms. Clinton has taken a personal interest
in the Algerian Mothers of the "Disappeared" following her trip to
North Africa and, agreed to support strong measures that will help
families find their "disappeared" loved ones and protect Algerian
activists from being "disappeared" themselves," said AIUSA Executive
Director Dr. William F. Schulz. The issue of "disappearances" is a
critical human rights issue in Algeria and was an issue in the recent
presidential election. The US government's leadership in this area
will send the right signal on the need for of the protection of human
rights in Algeria.

The delegation that met with Ms. Clinton today includes Mrs.
Nassera Dutour, spokesperson, Collective of the Families of the
"Disappeared", Mrs. Houria Benslimane, whose daughter "disappeared", and Mr. Mustapha Bouchachi, a prominent human rights lawyer on hundreds of cases of the "disappeared". They were joined by Amnesty International USA representatives, Dr. William F. Schulz, Executive Director, Mr. Abderrahim Sabir, country specialist on Algeria, and Ms. Maureen Greenwood, Advocacy Director for Europe and the Middle East.

Mrs. Benslimane's twenty-nine year-old daughter, Amina
Benslimane, "disappeared" on 13 December 1994, after taking
photographs documenting human rights abuses. Her mother later heard that her daughter was taken by security forces and died following being tortured to death in front of two generals. To date, the Algerian government denies any knowledge of her daughter. Mrs.
Benslimane wants to know where her daughter's body is buried so she can conduct a proper burial.

Amnesty International reports that in the past six years some
3000 Algerian men and women have "disappeared" after being taken away by security forces. Until last year, the issue of "disappearances" was a taboo subject in Algeria and received little attention in the international arena. For years, families of the "disappeared" refrained from publicly protesting out of fear for the safety of their detained relatives and themselves. However, in 1998, more and more families of "disappeared" overcame their fear and their protests have forced debate on the issue in parliament and in the press.