The first Algerian-born councillor to be elected in the UK, Islington Councillor Mouna Hamitouche, met the President of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and a former President of the International Court of Justice, Dr. Mohammed Bedjaoui, at the House of Commons yesterday to recognise her achievement in being elected.
Cllr Hamitouche used to opportunity to promote the integration of British Algerians and other minority groups into British society and establishments. She told the president she had decided to stand to be a Labour councillor because she is driven by the Labour values of social justice and the defence of the most disadvantaged in society.
Dr. Mohammed Bedjaoui, a former President of the International Court of Justice who is now the Algerian Foreign Minister, spoke to Cllr Hamitouche about his background in human rights and he congratulated her on her achievements.
The Algerian Ambassador to London introduced Cllr Hamitouche to the President between his talks with the Leader of the Commons Jack Straw MP and Leader of the Lords Baroness Valerie Amos. The Ambassador praised her hard work as both a councillor and as coordinator of the Algerian British Connection - the UK's only community group specifically for the British Algerian community.
Cllr Hamitouche said:
"It is a great honour to be a councillor in Islington and especially the first Algerian-born councillor in the UK. I was eager to talk to the Algerian President about the values we share and I was very pleased that I had the chance to meet him"
Emily Thornberry MP, who helped arrange the meeting, said:
"I have been so impressed by Cllr Hamitouche's hard work as a community activist and now as a councillor in Islington. She is determined to stand up for those people in Islington who so often get ignored. I am sure the Algerian President was honoured to meet her."
