An Algerian activist is now facing trial for comments made on social media regarding an official government announcement.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that Algerian activist Rachid Aouine was arrested by authorities on Sunday last week for allegedly trying to incite "an unarmed gathering," after posting an update on Facebook telling police officers to go out and protest a new government regulation relating to law enforcement personnel.
The government regulation prohibits law enforcement personnel from staging such activities, threatening disciplinary action for violators.
Aouine, who works with the National Committee for the Defense of the Rights of Unemployed Workers (CNDDC) in Oued Essouf, northeastern Algeria, made a Facebook update in rersponse, commenting on the new regulation.
"Police officers, why don't you go out today to protest against the arbitrary decisions against your colleagues..., instead of controlling the free activists and the protesters against the shale gas?" the activist wrote.
In response, Algerian authorities arrested Aouine on March 1. He was subsequently charged on March 3 for violating Article 100 of the Algerian penal code, which prohibits peaceful protests through writing and speech. Aouine could face up to one year in prison if found guilty.
Article 100 is one of three articles in Algeria's penal code that criminalise peaceful protests. The other articles are Article 97, which prohibits organising or participating in protests held in public places, and Article 91-19c, which criminalises protests and gatherings that are not authorised by the Interior Ministry.
Eric Goldstein, HRW's deputy Middle East and North Africa director, criticised the arrest of the Algerian activist.
"In addition to trying peaceful protesters, Algerian authorities now appear intent on jailing an activist merely for his ironic comments about the police on the Web," Goldstein said.
The HRW deputy chief also noted that peaceful protests are "a necessary part of supporting public debate in Algeria."
Goldstein called for the release of the CNDDC activist and all charges against him to be dropped.
