In December, the Algerian Parliament approved several amendments to the country’s criminal code that punish acts of domestic violence and penalize other forms of violence against women, such as sexual harassment, with up to 20 years in prison. The amendments would also prohibit a husband from disposing of his wife’s financial assets. The new provisions entered into force the week of February 1, 2016. According to the Associated Press, the new laws stalled in the Algerian Senate for eight months “amid resistance from conservative Muslims who view it as interference in family affairs.” Some domestic advocates have criticized the law because it allows courts to drop all charges against a violent offender if the victim forgives him.
Compiled from: The Associated Press, New Algerian Law Punishes Violence Against Women, The New York Times (February 2, 2016); Algeria approves new law banning violence against women, Middle East Monitor (December 11, 2015); Algeria: Council of Nation Passes Law On Women Protection Procedures, AllAfrica.com (December 10, 2015).