Algerian Activist Detained
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies strongly condemns the arrest of Karim Tabbou a pro-democracy activist and coordinator of the Democratic and Social Union Party. Tabbou was arrested on charges of “weakening army morale”.
The politician and activist is a well known face of the pro-democracy protests that swept former President Abelaziz Boutiflika from power eight months ago. Since then Algerians have continued to flood the streets protesting against massive corruption, high unemployment and lack of political rights. The arrest of Karim Tabbou is part of a larger wave of incarcerations and detentions that the current caretaker government has enacted.
An official for Human Rights Watch was expelled from the country last month and dozens have been arrested for flying the Amazigh Berber flag. The government, which recently announced an election date of December 12, is seen by many as enacting a clampdown on any dissent that could interfere with their plans to push through unpopular elections. Protestors are highly suspicious of conducting elections in December without proper dialogue and engagement with civil society. They fear it is no more than a power grab, on behalf of the powerful Algerian military under Army Chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, to solidify power.
Amman Center for Human Rights would like to bring attention to the ongoing, yet often neglected, threat to equal representation and democracy taking place in Algeria. We support protestors aspirations for social justice and peaceful change in Algerian society.
