Continued Repression in Algeria: 13 Activists Imprisoned After One Month of the Second Term
The wave of arrests confirms the government's lack of seriousness in conducting national dialogue.
The human rights organization “Chouaa” has issued a press release regarding the continuation of arbitrary arrests, and here’s what it says:
The “Chouaa” Human Rights Organization condemns the continued repression by Algerian authorities through legal prosecutions, arbitrary arrests, and travel bans targeting human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, and peaceful activists. “Chouaa” has recorded, over the last month—since President Abdelmadjid Tebboune took the constitutional oath on September 17, 2024, and began his second term—the imprisonment of 13 activists who have been charged with various offenses, including terrorism-related charges through the use of Article 87 bis of the Penal Code pertaining to counterterrorism.
The continued repressive practices by Algerian authorities for more than five years, which persisted even during and after the presidential elections held on September 7, undermines the credibility of President Tebboune’s call in his speech following his oath to open an inclusive national dialogue with all national forces. It proves that the authorities remain committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards all critics, whether they are activists, human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, or ordinary citizens.
President Tebboune’s announcement of a national dialogue does not reflect a real change in the authorities’ approach to the current human rights crisis. His continued denial of the existence of prisoners of conscience in Algeria, the latest of which was during his meeting with the press on October 5, 2024, despite repeated calls from international human rights organizations to release them—such as the call from UN experts on September 30, 2024—confirms the absence of any intent to improve the human rights situation or to release all 260 prisoners of conscience, including 6 women.
“Chouaa” reiterates its condemnation of the continued repression by Algerian authorities and calls for an end to restrictions on freedoms, the release of prisoners of conscience, and the opening of a serious political dialogue. Resolving the multiple crises Algeria faces today requires a free and open political life.
