In its 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report on about 200 countries, the US Department of State considers Algeria as a "transit and, to a lesser extent, destination and source country" for women and men subjected to forced labour and other forms of human trafficking.
In this regard, the report noted that "most commonly, sub-Saharan African men and women enter Algeria voluntarily but illegally, often with the assistance of smugglers, for the purpose of travelling to neighbouring countries or Europe."
The report also underlined that "criminal networks, which sometimes extend to Sub-Sahara Africa and to Europe are involved in smuggling and human trafficking," adding that "leaders of the 'African villages'- small enclaves located in and around the southern city of Tamanrasset and inhabited by sub-Saharans- may be among those responsible for trafficking in women from sub-Saharan Africa."
The US Department of State noted that "some sub-Saharan African men, mostly from Mali, are forced domestic workers and homeowners often confiscate their identification document, a common method of coercion."
As regards the national legislation on the fight against trafficking in persons, the report said that "Algeria prohibits all forms of trafficking under Section 5 of its Criminal Code enacted in 2009."
It noted, however, that Algeria "did not have an effective system to collect and report" on human trafficking.
Despite some shortcomings cited in the report, the US Department of State underlined some efforts made by Algeria to address the human trafficking, particularly the training programme funded and organized for Algerian judges in coordination with an international organization, in addition to the Algerian inter-ministerial anti-trafficking committee, which holds monthly meetings, and the national plan to combat human trafficking.