3 years after the movement in Algeria: How did Abdel Majid Tabun kill the movement?

February 22 marks 3 years of the Hirak in Algeria, a pro-democracy and anti-regime movement that would make former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika surrender, after 20 years in power. Three years later, a breath of fresh air and freedom is ancient history. Algerian President Abdel Majid Taboun cleverly orchestrated the destruction of this movement that would have liberated Algeria from the yoke of the military.

The state of corruption of basic liberties and democratic rights returned to square one in Algeria, despite the brave efforts of an entire people, united under the Hirak, this anti-regime movement that does not have a political status wanted to fight a battle with two decades under Hirak rule. Same boss, after suffering a severely disabling cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in 2013.

The Hirak, which carried the hopes of several generations of men and women young and old, finally succumbed to being nailed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, heir to the army-installed regime, of the same party. The National Liberation Front, and was elected by force in 2019 in a suspicious manner, because it was rejected and boycotted twice by the population.

After trying to calm souls in the beginning “coronation”who could not hold out for long in previous governments during the era of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, called the movement of the Algerians the name of the movement. “Blessing”. However, it didn’t take long to see this same man devising a strategy to reduce it to nothing.

Taking advantage of the health situation related to the Corona virus pandemic, the illegal president whose image surrounds him “Not my main” It was brandished by thousands of Algerians in the country’s cities, and the demonstrations that became easy to hide from public opinion and at the international level were banned, especially as it provided evidence of the failures of the Algerian regime as advocated and implemented by the military since independence.

Meanwhile, the arbitrary arrests, and human tracking of a number of Hirak figures such as the person who targeted the activist Mohamed Tajdit known as movement poetmultiplied. They spared no one.

They have targeted journalists, lawyers, politicians, former ministers, party leaders, prominent businessmen and former intelligence chiefs with the aim of sending a double message. The first object gives the impression that things are more “Just” During the reign of Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and the second that works to intimidate the population by showing them that no one will be extradited.

Despite everything, this did not prevent the Algerians from going out to bomb the sidewalk several times a week, especially between the students and their teachers, the real spearhead of the movement, between the unions of different professions, and on Friday a collective meeting. Nation.

The strategy of destroying the movement led by Abdelmadjid Tebboune

To counterbalance the powerful protest movement that never ceased to embarrass the Algerian power and which was waiting for the slightest chance of reform as a bloc despite intimidation, the Algerian regime used subterfuge to steer public opinion, notably by operating its own propaganda machine and arousing influence. The specter of an external threat and the “external hand” that will be behind the movement.

Abdel Majid Tabun destroyed the movement with his invention “sneak” From the parties seeking to “Destabilization of Algeria”, In particular by pointing the finger at Islamists, for example, or even dissident movements like MAK that fight for Kabyle independence or Rashad, led by a former Algerian diplomat with an Islamist movement, two movements based abroad outside the control of the Algerian regime.

Thousands of people were imprisoned, some of whom were subjected to police violence during their confinement, including sexual violence, on minors as was the case for Said Chatwan, 15, who was “tortured” and “raped” in a police station after participating in the demonstrations.

Algerian authorities have adopted a well-thought-out strategy to silence dissenting voices from the regime. Various serious charges, preventive arrests for allowing protesters to rot in prison before they have the right to a trial.

“The accumulation of dubious charges + terrorism + and vague indictments such as + attack on national unity + cannot hide the fact that it is really about silencing critical voices of a peaceful movement”announced Eric Goldstein, acting director of the Middle East and North Africa division at Human Rights Watch, marking three years of movement.

During 2021, the number of detainees linked to the movement increased significantly. According to the National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees (CNLD), which was set up by activists and lawyers in August 2019, there are at least 280 people currently imprisoned for peacefully expressing their opinions, for criticizing the regime. For its part, the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH) estimates the number of detainees at 330 people, according to figures as of February 5, 2022.

In addition to activists, bloggers, journalists, university professors and lawyers, the Algerian regime has also attacked political parties and associations close to the Hirak. The Council of State, Algeria’s highest administrative court, ordered the suspension of the activities of the Socialist Workers Party (PST) following a complaint by the Ministry of the Interior.

For its part, the Union for Change and Progress (UCP) is awaiting a decision from the State Council on the request for its dissolution also submitted by the Minister of the Interior. The other two parties are the next targets as well.

They are the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS), whose spokesman was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 dinars ($1,420) and the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), whose official notification was received from the Ministry of Culture and Democracy. interior.

Associations, such as Rassemblement Actions Jeunesse (RAJ), a pro-mobility organization that was dissolved by the court after a complaint from the Home Office, should not be outdone. SOS Bab El-Oued in Algiers has suspended its activities and closed its headquarters since the General Directorate of National Security searched and confiscated its equipment, and its president was sentenced in November to a year in prison. Undermining national unity and the national interest.

While the movement is set to celebrate its third anniversary on Tuesday, more than 40 prisoners in the capital’s El Harrach prison began a hunger strike on January 28, to recall their fate and protest their arbitrary detention. Most of them have been in preventive detention for several months and have not yet had the right to trial.