Algeria To Ban Unauthorised Protests In The Country

Algeria’s Interior Ministry has announced it will bar any protests that do not have prior approval stating that all protests would need a permit that specified the names of organisers and a start and finishing time for the demonstrations.

Such restrictions, even if permits were given, would mean naming specific individuals as formally responsible for a hitherto leaderless protest movement.

The measures are in line with a clause in a new constitution approved by Algerian voters in November last year which requires organisers to give advance information before demonstrations.

The Interior Ministry said failure to comply with the procedures would result in violating the law and the constitution, which denies the legitimacy of the march.

Some protesters believe the restrictions are aimed at ending all street marches. “They are seeking reasons to justify any decision to ban marches,” said Ahmed Badili, a member of the leaderless protest movement known as Hirak.

The restrictions come ahead of early legislative elections on June 12 that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, elected in December 2019 in a vote boycotted by the protest movement, vowed would be fair and transparent.