On Sunday 12 February, a court in Tamanrasset is due to issue a verdict in the trial of four men, prosecuted for participating in a sit-in demanding that the Algerian authorities provide a health clinic and other basic services to their impoverished neighbourhood. The four protesters are currently at liberty pending the verdict. Amnesty International calls on the Algerian authorities to drop the charges against the four men of “inciting an unarmed gathering”, and calls for reform of Algerian legislation so as to respect freedom of peaceful assembly.
