Khalida Toumi
Algerian politician, Minister of Communication and Culture until April 2014
Khalida Toumi (Arabic: خليدة تومي), born on March 13, 1958, is an Algerian politician and feminist activist. She served as the Minister of Communication and Culture until April 2014, playing a key role in shaping Algeria's cultural landscape. A prominent figure in the Algerian feminist movement, she has long advocated for women's rights. However, in 2022, she was convicted of corruption and sentenced to six years in prison.
Quotes
edit- In my view, citizens must understand that this poses a threat to everyone. It sets a dangerous precedent, implying that anyone who refuses to conform risks arrest. But what exactly did Louisa Hanoune do? She simply fulfilled her responsibilities as an activist and political party leader to the fullest. Her arrest was solely for exercising her political rights and performing her duties.
- This concept reflects a troubling shift towards totalitarianism, posing a serious threat to the entire nation. Those responsible for incarcerating Louisa Hanoune must reconsider their actions, as her arrest is not only harmful to the country but also damages the reputation of the ANP.
- The arrest of Louisa Hanoune does not tarnish her reputation—not in the slightest. Instead, it discredits those who imprisoned her and, by extension, the military institution, for which I hold the utmost respect. Her arrest occurred at the level of the military tribunal, yet I am confident the ANP as an institution is not responsible for this serious misstep, which involves detaining a political leader for fulfilling her duties. Do the individuals behind this unfortunate decision realize they are implicating the entire military institution? This is deeply unjust—not only to Louisa but also to the ANP and the nation as a whole. To correct this triple injustice, Louisa Hanoune must be released immediately.
- The decision to incarcerate a female politician, the leader of a legitimate political party, is utterly inexplicable—except for the possibility that those responsible hold an authoritarian view of political life and action. This cannot be a decision made by the entire military institution; that is simply impossible. To me, this choice is completely baffling. More importantly, it is unacceptable, scandalous, and intolerable.
- I know Louisa very well. In 1983, when she was arrested by the State Security Court for her political beliefs, I was with her, as we were part of the same association. This is not the first time she has been detained for exercising her political rights. Louisa is a remarkable woman and a towering political figure. No prison, whether military or civilian, can confine the greatness of Louisa Hanoune. The real shame is not that Louisa Hanoune is in prison as a politician—the shame is that, in 2019, there are still people in Algeria making such decisions. It is not too late to correct this grave mistake.
