Algeria: Repression against Hirak Movement intensifies, deepening socioeconomic crisis

Algerian authorities continue to crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly five years after the Hirak protest movement first began, said Amnesty International in a press release.

After the Hirak protest movement was halted due to Covid-19 in 2020, the Algerian authorities have stepped up their repression of peaceful dissent, targeting critical voices and political opponents.

Hundreds of people have been arbitrarily arrested and detained. Dozens of peaceful protesters, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders continue to languish behind bars for criticizing the authorities.

“It is a tragedy that five years after brave Algerians took to the streets in their masses to demand political change and reforms, the authorities have continued to wage a chilling campaign of repression,” said Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

The human rights’ Watchdog called on Algerian regime to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

The NGO said human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and trade unionists should be able to exercise their rights and freely express critical views without fear of reprisals.

“Algeria’s authorities must make the five-year anniversary of the Hirak protest movement a turning point by putting an end to this climate of repression and ordering the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained and allowing peaceful protests,” the AI Regional Director for North Africa said.

The Algerian authorities must also stop the harassment of opponents and perceived critics and reform key legislation including repealing vague and overly broad provisions that have been used to repress human rights, said the AI official.

The Hirak protest movement began in February 2019 when largely peaceful mass demonstrations took place across Algeria opposing then President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s re-election. In recent years, the protesters’ demands evolved as they demanded political reforms and further freedoms.

Since May 2021, authorities have blocked protests, requiring prior notification for each demonstration. They have also intensified their stifling of civic space and crackdown on dissent, arresting dozens of people including journalists, human rights defenders, whistleblowers, and people expressing themselves online or attending peaceful protests.