activist Kameleddine Fekhar and other supporters of regional autonomy. In March the UN Human Rights Committee found that Algeria had violated Articles 2, 7 and 9 of the ICCPR. Its findings related to the failure to investigate allegations by businessman Mejdoub Chani that DRS officers had detained him incommunicado and tortured him during interrogation following his arrest for corruption and money laundering in 2009. He remained in prison at the end of the year awaiting the outcome of appeals to the Supreme Court. WOMEN’S RIGHTS the security forces killed 125 alleged members of armed groups but disclosed few details, raising concern that some may have been extrajudicially executed. In March, the armed group calling itself alQa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on a gas production site in Khrechba. No casualties were reported. IMPUNITY The government continued to allow impunity for serious human rights abuses committed during the 1990s, by failing to investigate past abuses and hold those responsible to account. The unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, rape and other torture committed by the security forces, as well as some abuses committed by armed groups, may amount to crimes against humanity.7 The Family Code continued to discriminate against women in matters of marriage, divorce, child custody and guardianship, and inheritance. Women and girls remained inadequately protected against gender-based violence in the absence of a comprehensive law. The Penal Code continued to prohibit rape without defining it or explicitly recognizing marital rape as a crime, and allowed men who rape girls under the age of 18 to escape trial by marrying their victim. The Penal Code also continued to criminalize abortions. 1. Algeria: Constitution needs stronger human rights safeguards (MDE 28/3366/2016) REFUGEES’ AND MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS 2. Algeria: Further information: Six protesters released, one remains imprisoned (MDE 28/4437/2016) The government again failed to enact legislation protecting the right to asylum. Clashes between local residents and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa occurred in Bechar and Ouargla in March, in Tamanrasset in July, and in Algiers in November. In December, security forces arrested an estimated 1,500 sub-Saharan African migrants and refugees in Algiers, and arbitrarily expelled hundreds of them to neighbouring Niger within days. Those not expelled were released in the southern city of Tamanrasset and reported being barred from public transport to prevent them returning to Algiers. COUNTER-TERROR AND SECURITY Security forces and armed opposition groups clashed in several areas. The authorities said Amnesty International Report 2016/17 DEATH PENALTY Courts continued to impose death sentences. No executions have been carried out since 1993. 3. Algeria: End media restrictions (MDE 28/4369/2016) 4. Algeria: Further information: Health concern for British-Algerian journalist: Mohamed Tamalt (MDE 28/4738/2016) 5. Algeria: One year in prison for denouncing corruption: Hassan Bouras (MDE 28/5299/2016) 6. Algeria: Further information: Prisoner of conscience remains in detention: Slimane Bouhafs (MDE 28/4783/2016) 7. Algeria: Time to end impunity for past and present abuses (MDE 28/3521/2016) ANGOLA Republic of Angola Head of state and government: José Eduardo dos Santos The worsening economic crisis triggered price rises for food, health care, fuel, recreation and culture. This led to 65