Algerian president pushes capital punishment for deliberate forest fires

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced a draft law that would make intentional forest arson punishable by death, marking a dramatic shift in Algeria’s approach to wildfire prevention.

The proposal comes in the wake of a series of blazes that ripped through the northeastern provinces last month, leaving at least 12 people dead and 54 injured. The fires, which officials say were sparked by human activity, consumed thousands of hectares of forest and forced the evacuation of dozens of villages.

Under current Algerian law, arson can result in long prison terms, but the death penalty has not been applied to environmental crimes. Legal scholars note that introducing capital punishment for forest fires would require amendments to the penal code and could face challenges from both domestic courts and international human‑rights bodies. Opposition parties and NGOs have expressed concern that the measure may be disproportionate and difficult to enforce.

Environmental groups warn that harsher penalties alone will not curb the growing frequency of wildfires, which are increasingly linked to climate change, drought, and illegal logging. They call for a broader strategy that includes better forest management, early‑detection systems, and community education. The president’s office, however, argues that the severe sanction is intended to act as a strong deterrent and signal the government’s commitment to protecting lives and natural resources.