I. General data 8. Efforts by the Algerian public authorities towards the promotion and protection of human rights started since the country’s independence in 1962. That is how the different Algerian Constitutions enshrined universal principles in this area, taking into account both the requirements of modernity and the development process of the Algerian society. 9. However, it is through the 1989 overture to political pluralism that Algeria intensified the process of its accession to international human rights instruments. It ratified the main regional and international human rights instruments. Algeria currently considers itself as a country, which has achieved important progress in terms of fundamental liberties, democracy and human rights. Algeria ensures that it complies with its obligations of submitting state periodic reports. 1. Land, population and indicators 10. General information: land mass: 2 381 000 km2; population: 38,48 millions (2012); official language: Arabic; local languages: Arabic, Tamazight; religion: Islam; currency: Algerian Dinar; GDP: 206,5 Billion US$ (2012) / Per capita income: 5659 USD (2012); Gross foreign debt: 3,9 Billions USD (2012); unemployment rate: 9,7 % (2012); Average life expectancy (2011): 76,7 year in average with 77,3 years for women and 76 years for men; infant mortality rate (2010): average of 23,7 for 1000 with boys : 25,5 for 1000 – girls : 21,8 for 1000; maternal mortality rate: 76,9 maternal deaths for 100 000 births (2010) ; economic growth rates: 2,6 % (2012); inflation : 8,89 % (2012) ; enrolment rate: 98 % (2010) ; age structure in% (RGPH- 2008) : below 5 years : 10.0, below 20 years : 38,7, youth of 15-24 years : 21.8, 25 – 59 years : 53.8, 60 years and above: 7.4. 2. General framework for the promotion and protection of human rights 11. Algeria guarantees the implementation of a national strategy, which aims to strengthen compliance to human rights that are constitutionally protected. This strategy set the ground of a serene Policy in this area, and reiterates Algeria’s determination in ensuring liberties and citizens’ individual and collective duties, as well as the promotion of values such as equality, solidarity, sharing and tolerance. 12. In this regard, the public authorities have maintained their willingness to pursue their commitments in view of achieving the ongoing reform process in the political, economies and social areas. 13. In addition to the Constitution, which was amended in 2008, the national legislative framework has been enriched during the past years with the enactment of several laws facilitating the settling and sustainability of the state of law at all levels of the public life. The institutional framework is continuously being strengthened. 2