Power in Algeria ‘Takes Dangerous Path for Country Future’ (Algerian Human Rights League)

The Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH) warned Wednesday that the power in Algeria “takes a dangerous path for the future of the country”.

“The government is taking a dangerous path for the future of the country instead of focusing on the exemplary pacifism with which Algerians express themselves,” said the organization in a statement released a few days before the celebration of the second anniversary of the popular uprising of February 22, 2019, which ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power.

While expressing its concern about the degradation of social life and human rights in the country, it called on the authorities to take “concrete” and “immediate” measures.

“The picture is bleak during these two years: too many arbitrary arrests, too many routine convictions, too much exclusion, distress and misery,” said president of LADDH, Noureddine Benissad, quoted in the statement.

The LADDH stressed that the change demanded by the people “is possible” and that “it is based on respect for human rights,” which it said is a legal, political and moral obligation for all and for those who hold power in the first place.

To this end, the human rights organization is alarmed at the “spread of poverty”, “unemployment” and the “aggravation of the situation of the most vulnerable,” believing that it is essential, especially in this pandemic situation, to “take concrete and immediate measures”.

While reiterating the fundamental requirements of the “Hirak”, namely “the release of all prisoners of conscience”, “respect for the freedoms of opinion, expression, assembly, peaceful demonstration”, “a free press” and “an independent judiciary”, the LADDH stressed that “in view of the economic and social challenges that lie ahead, only a historic compromise can make it possible, through the establishment of a true rule of law, to preserve social cohesion and civil peace”.