The Algerian Family Code (, ), enacted on June 9, 1984, specifies the laws relating to familial relations in Algeria. It includes strong elements of Islamic law which have brought it praise from Islamists and condemnation from secularists and feminists. History The regulations imposed by the Family Code were in stark contrast to the role that women had during the struggle for liberation that Algeria faced. During this struggle, National Liberation Front FLN ensured the equality of men and women. This is reflected in the 1976 Algerian Constitution. These rights slowly started to diminish as in 1980, a ministerial order prohibiting women from travelling after a certain distance unaccompanied by a male relative was passed. The Algerian Family Code is a document that governs the marriage and property rights of Algeria. It contains specifications that were based on Islamic traditions and are, according to the United Nations, “informed directly by the Islamic law “Fiqh”. The introduction of a Family Code allowed for restrictions that were contradictory to the role of women during the Algerian war for independence (1954–1962) to be present. In 1996, Algeria ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and stated that they would aim to counter “discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations […],” but in the condition that the convention followed the regulations in the pre-existing Family Code: “The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria declares that the provisions of article 16 concerning equal rights for men and women in all matters relating to marriage, both during marriage and at its dissolution, should not contradict the provisions of the Algerian Family Code.”. This had caused criticism by individuals including theorist Zahia Smail Salhi. Its critics particularly focus on its implications for women (who have less right to divorce than men, and who receive smaller shares of inheritance) and sometimes for apostates (who are disinherited, and whose marriages may be nullified.) President Abdelaziz Bouteflika declared that the Family Code must be revised in the spirit of universal human rights and Islamic law. Reactions were mixed. Lachhab of the Islamist El Islah party declared that "We oppose these amendments which are contrary to Sharia, and thus to article 2 of the Constitution," whereas Nouria Hafsi of the pro-government RND declared "These timid amendments put forward a modern reading of the Sharia; the rights of women