RB (Algeria, Berbers) Algeira

We accept that this passage is incomplete and misleading. There can be no interference with Article 3 rights, which are absolute. However, Mr Naumann accepted that this was not the strongest of the grounds of appeal and he did not attempt to argue that it had made a material difference to the Adjudicator's reasoning or conclusions. We find that this is an unfortunate error but that there is no indication that there has been any adverse consequence for the appellant. It is not material".

6.146 The Berbers are the major ethnic minority in Algeria and comprise a little over one quarter of the population � 7 million people. The Berbers are concentrated mainly in the mountainous areas of Kabylia, Chaouia, the Mzab and the Sahara. They are the indigenous inhabitant of the North African littoral. The majority of Algerians are of Berber descent, although as a result of centuries of integration the two main ethnic groups of Arab and Berber have become increasingly indistinguishable.

6.148 Tamazight is taught at a number of primary schools in the Kabylia area. In July 2003 the Government announced a decision to enhance the teaching of Tamazight in the national education system. There is a university chair for Tamazight. It was also announced in August 2003 that a national centre would be set up to promote the Berber language. There is a 'Haut commissariat � l'Amazighit�' under the ministry of Communication and culture which organised, among other things, a Berber film festival in September 2002.

6.149 Newspapers and periodicals appear in the Berber language and the government-owned national television station broadcasts a brief nightly news programme in Tamazight. In the Kabylia area, many television shows and documentaries are shown in Tamazight. There is a Berber television channel based in France.

6.150 Berber Groups The Mouvement Cultural Berb�re (Berber Cultural Movement) (MCB) was founded in 1976 and is not so much a political party as a pressure group for Berber issues. It is engaged in efforts to promote the Berber language and identity. Each April the MCB organises demonstrations in Kabylie towns to commemorate the "Berber Spring" when a number of students were killed in demonstrations in Tizi Ouzou in 1980.