Algeria: UN calls for an end to arbitrary arrests, the Hirak is still marching
Algerians parade in Algiers on February 22, 2021, the anniversary of the birth of the Hirak movement in 2019. AP - Anis Belghoul
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3 min
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says it is very concerned about a "continuous and growing repression" against the members of Hirak in Algeria, and calls for an end to arbitrary detentions.
In mid-February, pro-democracy demonstrators resumed their peaceful marches, interrupted for a year by the Covid-19 epidemic.
Friday March 5, there were still thousands in the streets.
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Since the resumption of the demonstrations, they are already "
hundreds
" to have been arrested.
And they would be "
nearly a thousand
" to have suffered prosecution
since the beginning of the movement
, two years ago, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Some for having participated directly in the peaceful marches.
Others for posting critical power messages on social media.
Among them, "
at least 32 are currently detained
" for having simply exercised their "
fundamental rights
", worries the High Commissioner.
The UN agency calls for their immediate release and the dropping of the charges against them.
She is also concerned about having received "
allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention
" inflicted on members of the Hirak, "
including sexual violence
".
🇩🇿 #Algeria: We are very concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation and the continued & increasing crackdown on the #Hirak.
We urge the authorities to stop using violence against peaceful protestors and cease arbitrary arrests & detentions 👉 https://t.co/SL3CikxN16 pic.twitter.com/k0HR0WyhRO
- UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) March 5, 2021
► To listen also: Kader Abderrahim: the Hirak will have to "give itself a political figure" for its representation
Khaled Drareni back in the Algiers march
The High Commissioner is calling for "impartial and rigorous" investigations to be quickly carried out into these accusations.
Despite this repression, thousands of Algerians again took to the streets on Friday March 5, in Algiers and other cities, peacefully as usual.
They still demand a "civil and non-military state", according to one of their slogan.
Recently released, journalist
Khaled Drareni
covered the Algiers march on social networks.
107th Friday since the start of the popular hirak on February 22, 2019, and 2nd since the resumption of demonstrations
Significant mobilization in the center of Algiers # الجمعة_107 # الجزائر # الحراك_الشعبي # Friday_107 # Algiers #Algerie #Hirak pic.twitter.com/klVIyNZW38
- Khaled Drareni (@khaleddrareni) March 5, 2021
► Also to listen: Khaled Drareni: "I am going to come back to this wonderful job that I have been exercising for 15 years"
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