21 Mar 2018 | 04:32 PM UTC
Algeria: Police suppress medical resident protest in Ben Aknoun March 19 /update 3
Algerian police forcibly suppress medical resident protest in Ben Aknoun March 19; nationwide strike to replace current cyclical strike actions March 27
Event
Algerian police forcibly suppressed a medical resident protest at the Ben Aknoun Medical College in Ben Aknoun, a suburb of Algiers, on Monday, March 19, briefly detaining several protesters and leaving several wounded. Medical residents also reportedly boycotted the first day of the Diploma of Higher Medical Studies (DEMS) academic examinations on Monday, and the internal internship program, which began Tuesday, March 20. The Autonomous Collective of Algerian Medical Specialists (CAMSA) has called on its members to launch a nationwide cyclical strike on Tuesday, March 27, to replace its current cyclical strike action. Associated protests, and consequent heightened security measures, and localized transportation disruptions are expected the Algiers area and elsewhere in the country in the coming days and weeks.
Context
The Autonomous Collective of Algerian Medical Residents (CAMRA) first launched the protests in mid-November 2017 to demand the suspension of mandatory civil service for Algerian doctors, exemption from compulsory military service, and better pedagogical training, among other demands.
Advice
Individuals in Algeria are advised to avoid any form of protest due to the risk of violence, keep abreast of the situation, confirm medical appointments, and anticipate increased wait times at health facilities.
