GENEVA: United Nations rights experts warned Friday that a detained Algerian journalist and rights activist faced serious health risks after several weeks on hunger strike, and demanded his immediate release.
Hassan Bouras was arrested by plain-clothed security agents outside his home in El-Bayadh in northern Algeria on April 12, reportedly without a warrant or explanation, four UN special rapporteurs said in a statement.
He had been ordered into pre-trial detention on several charges, including membership of a terrorist organization.
“We are deeply concerned by the ongoing arbitrary detention of Mr. Bouras, as well as the serious risks to his life, health and physical integrity,” said the experts. They are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the United Nations itself.
Bouras had been placed in solitary confinement on May 2 for launching a hunger strike to protest his detention, they said.
