Algeria continues to clamp down on freedom of expression

According to a report by Amnesty International Algerian authorities continue to clamp down on the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly some five years after the Hirak protest movement first began.

 The report issued Thursday February 22^nd criticized Algerian authorities for targeting critical voices of dissent, such as protesters, journalists or people expressing their views on social media.

In a statement by Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Heba Morayef, asserted that “Algeria’s authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all those detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. They must ensure that human rights defenders, journalists, activists, trade unionists and others are able to exercise their rights and freely express critical views without fear of reprisals.”

The Hirak protest movement was halted due to Covid-19 in 2020, which critics of Algeria believe that allowed authorities to expand their repression of peaceful dissent. According to Amnesty 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.