While Algeria has made some progress in its democratic transition, there are concerns about the government’s repression of peaceful dissent.

Development Diaries reports that Algerian authorities have continued to clamp down on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly five years after the Hirak protest movement first began.

We understand that the authorities have been targeting critical dissenting voices, whether they are journalists, protesters, or those posting their opinions on social media.

After the Hirak protest movement was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the Algerian authorities escalated their repression of peaceful dissent.

While the Hirak protests were largely peaceful, Algerian authorities responded with heavy-handed tactics, including arbitrary arrests, detentions, and the use of excessive force to disperse demonstrators.

Human rights organisations have documented numerous cases of activists, journalists, and peaceful protesters being targeted and subjected to intimidation and harassment by security forces.

The Algerian government has also employed legal mechanisms to stifle dissent, including restrictive legislation on freedom of assembly and expression.

Laws such as the penal code and anti-terrorism legislation have been used to criminalise peaceful dissent and justify the crackdown on activists and opposition figures.

Findings by Amnesty International reveal that hundreds of people have been arbitrarily arrested and detained, while dozens of peaceful protesters, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders continue to languish behind bars for criticising the authorities.

Development Diaries calls on the government of Algeria to ensure that human rights advocates, journalists, and trade unionists are allowed to freely exercise their rights and voice critical opinions without fear of retaliation.

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