Rassemblement Actions Jeunesse
Rassemblement Actions Jeunesse (RAJ) is a socio-cultural association which was founded in Algeria in 1992. The main objective of RAJ is to raise awareness of the importance of human rights, efforts of solidarity and citizenship. RAJ also works on the mobilisation of young people toward social problems and has extensively worked on the promotion of cultural activities and human rights. More recently, RAJ called for a democratic process and radical political change during the Hirak protests in Algeria
The lifting of Algeria’s 19-year state of emergency in early 2011 did not have a positive effect on the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs). Human rights defenders have continued to be subjected to harassment, threats, physical attacks, arbitrary detention and legal proceedings.
Peaceful protests have been forcibly dispersed and protesters and human rights defenders have been arrested and charged. An indefinite 2001 ban on protests continue to remain in force in the capital Algiers. A number of HRDs have been put on trial under Article 100 of the Penal Code, which punishes the incitement of unarmed gathering.
