Security cervices break up CNCD protest

Algiers-Protest by the National Coordination for Change and Democracy (CNCD), fails for the seventh time since February 12, here on Saturday.

Algerian security cervices break up the protest by some 30 people, who launch their protest from May Square towards Martyrs Square in Algiers, although CNCD was expecting a success this time due to the preparation of a different plan which put protesters in various points of the capital.

Previously, a party leader Ali Yahia Abdennour told the press; “We don’t care if this is the sixth failure since February 12”.

This is the second time, since February 12, in which RCD leader Said Saadi does not participate in the protests.

Last week, Human Rights Watch has criticized Algerian authorities’ ban of protests in Algiers, and had called upon Algeria government to stop what it called violations of Algerians rights to peaceful protests in the capital, and suppression of popular protests.

“Lifting the state of emergency by President Bouteflika on February 24 is an important step towards giving back basic rights to Algeria people, including the right to protest”, Sarah Leah Whitson, director of Human Rights Watch in Middle East and North Africa division said.

The spokeswoman invited, at a press conference, Algerian officials to the need to protect the right of assembly enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which  Algeria is a part, especially the article 21 which states the rights of organizing peaceful protest.