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Thousands of people demonstrated in Algiers on Friday to demand press freedom and the independence of the judiciary, as the pro-democracy movement Hirak continues its weekly demonstrations, despite the ban on gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Hirak protest movement was sparked in February 2019 following the candidacy of then-president Abdelaziz Bouteflika for a fifth term.
The sick man was forced to resign weeks later, but the Hirak continued with protests, demanding a radical overhaul of a system in power in place since Algeria’s independence from France in 1962.
“Freedom is expressing myself as I want and not as you want,” said a sign on Friday.
The press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Algeria 146th out of 180 countries and territories in its 2020 World Press Freedom Index, a drop of 27 places compared to 2015.
Several journalists were assaulted during the demonstration a week earlier and the Algerian authorities threatened to permanently withdraw media accreditation from the international channel France 24.
“There is no justification for attacking a journalist or anyone else,” said Ali, a retired teacher in his sixties who declined to provide his last name.
He told AFP that he hoped for “a free, professional and above all objective and impartial press”.
The protesters also called for an “independent judiciary”.
Since the movement’s second anniversary on February 22, thousands of people have taken to the streets for weekly protests, which had been suspended for nearly a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Friday’s protest took place as Algeria marked the anniversary of the March 19, 1962 ceasefire that ended its war of independence from France.
“March 19, 1962: cease-fire, March 19, 2021: stop repression”, said a protest panel.
“Give power back to the people,” demanded the protesters, addressing the ruling class.
Protesters also criticized President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s decision to call early elections on June 12 in an attempt to ease the country’s political and economic crisis.
Tebboune reached out to the protest movement while seeking to neutralize it.
“No elections with the mafia gang (in power),” chant the demonstrators.
Local media reported protests in several other cities, despite the bad weather.
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