Algerian security forces violently dispersed a peaceful protest organised by labour activists on 26 May 2013 resulting in the arrest of around 50 protesters.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounces the use of violence by Algerian security forces in addressing a peaceful demonstration organised by labour activists leading to several injuries and the arrest of around 50 protesters.
Pre-contractual employees and workers with temporary contracts organised the surprise sit-in in front of the governmental palace on 26 May 2013. Carrying banners and signs in protest of their professional and social situations, they gathered near the gate from which staff and visitors enter to get to the Labour Ministry’s headquarters. They were protesting in particular against the policy of temporary contracts which they claim squanders their rights when security services violently interrupted the sit-in, surrounded the protesters and snatched the banners from their hands forcefully arresting around 50 of them.
“The protesters did not disturb traffic, they were using their legitimate right to freely express themselves without harming anybody,” said ANHRI, “the security forces’ response is unacceptable and unjustifiable.”
ANHRI added, “the authorities must find possible political solutions to the issue whereby they could respond to the workers’ demands instead of using violence to silence them.”
