1. Canadian citizens accuse Algeria of surveillance and harassment at home
2. Canadian citizens allege Algerian spying and intimidation at home.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Kamal Sehaki, a resident of Gatineau, Quebec, thought he had left behind the troubles of his Kabyle origins when he moved to Canada in 2018. Little did he know that the Algerian authorities would catch up with him, making him a target even on Canadian soil.
The Kabyles, part of the Amazigh or Berber family of Indigenous North Africans, have their own unique language and culture. Some Kabyles advocate for an independent state in the mountainous coastal region of northern Algeria. Sehaki, a talented artist who has won international awards for his short films, found himself at the center of a troubling situation due to his association with the independence movement.
Recently, Sehaki received a call from a member of the Algerian consulate in Montreal, offering to boost his career and inviting him for a meeting at the consulate. Suspicious of the offer, Sehaki agreed to meet in a public place where he was confronted with questions about his involvement with the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK). The Algerian authorities had been monitoring Sehaki’s activities in Canada, citing his presence at MAK demonstrations as a cause for concern.
The pressure on Sehaki intensified when he was asked to sign a document promising to cut ties with the MAK and provide information about other young Kabyles in Canada with links to the movement. In return, the Algerian authorities offered him the freedom to travel to and from Algeria without hindrance. However, Sehaki refused to comply, stating, “I’m not for sale. Yes, I want to return to my native country to see my family, but not at any cost.”
Sehaki’s experience is not an isolated incident. Members of the Kabyle community in Canada, including federal and Quebec government employees, have been targeted by Algerian authorities. The Centre Aqvayli de Montréal, the oldest Kabyle association in Quebec, has expressed concerns about the climate of fear in the community.
Furthermore, some Canadians of Kabyle origin have been subjected to interrogations and travel restrictions when entering Algeria. Global Affairs Canada has warned about the increased arrests of activists by Algerian authorities and the prevention of dual citizens from leaving Algeria.
Mourad Itim, a retired Bell Canada technician and member of the MAK, shared his story of being classified as a terrorist by the Algerian government for his involvement with the organization. Itim, who oversees TaqVaylit.TV, an official broadcast channel of the MAK, expressed his frustration at being unable to attend his mother’s funeral in Algeria due to fears of arrest and imprisonment.
Despite the challenges faced by the Kabyle community in Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly declined to comment on the situation. Bloc Québécois MP Mario Beaulieu criticized the minister’s silence, calling for better protection of citizens from foreign interference.
In conclusion, the persecution of Kabyles in Canada by Algerian authorities is a concerning issue that requires attention from the Canadian government. The rights and freedoms of Canadian citizens, regardless of their ethnic background, must be upheld and protected. It is essential to address foreign interference and ensure the safety and security of all individuals in Canada..
1. Canadian citizens accuse Algeria of spying and intimidation
2. Algerian spying and intimidation towards Canadian citizens.
