The Algerian authorities have intensified their crackdown on fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association and assembly, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported.

Development Diaries reports that there have been attacks on the civic space by the authorities while unreasonable restrictions have been placed on independent organisations.

The Algerian government, it is understood, is waging an oppressive war against the country’s pro-democracy movement and anyone who disagrees with the ruling party.

In its 2023 World Report, HRW noted that activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers in the North African country have been prosecuted for their peaceful activism, opinions, or in connection to their professions.

The report also revealed that there were about 250 people being detained in prison as of October 2022 for taking part in non-violent action, protest, or speech, with one-third of them being in pre-trial custody.

The Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights and the well-known Youth Action Rally have been disbanded by the authorities.

Also, the Socialist Workers’ Party and the Democratic and Social Movement are at least two political organisations that have been suspended, and two significant independent media organisations, Radio M and Maghreb Emergent, have also been shut down, further stifling dissenting opinions.

In its 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Algeria, the United States Department of State listed significant human rights issues in the country as torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by members of the security forces.

And in its Freedom in the World 2023, Freedom House rated Algeria ‘not free’.

Development Diaries calls on the Algerian government to free all those who have been detained because of their non-violent activism or expression and repeal repressive laws that have been used to silence dissent.

Source: HRW

Photo source: AP/Toufik Doudou