Algerian official slams U.S. human rights report

Algerian official slams U.S. human rights report

ALGIERS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- An Algerian official slammed Sundaythe U.S. report on Algerian human rights situation, saying it ismotivated by political factors when dealing with such issues, localEl Khabar newspaper reported.

Farouk Ksentini, head of Algerian National ConsultativeCommission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, wasquoted as saying that the report is "flagrant and strange," asAlgeria is ranked at the bottom of the list despite the improvementit achieved in human rights.

"The report comprises exaggerating remarks on corruption, thesituation in prisons, the liberty of expression, labor rights andinternet control," Ksentini said.

Ksentini admitted there are problems such as long-time custodydetention in the country, but he denied that prisoners were treatedbadly, saying "the problem with our prisons is overcrowding, whiletheir human rights are highly respected."

He further rejected the report's allegations on the absence of anindependent justice system, saying "such allegations are based onanalysis rather than facts."