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Anger over death of Algeria hunger-striking activist Kamel Eddine Fekhar | Anger over death of Algeria hunger-striking activist Kamel Eddine Fekhar |
(32 minutes later) | |
An imprisoned Algerian human rights activist, who had been on hunger strike for more than 50 days, has died. | |
Kamel Eddine Fekhar was arrested in March for "undermining state security" and put in pre-trial detention. | Kamel Eddine Fekhar was arrested in March for "undermining state security" and put in pre-trial detention. |
His lawyer, Salah Dabouz, said his client had endured great suffering and neglect behind bars and he would lodge a complaint against the authorities. | His lawyer, Salah Dabouz, said his client had endured great suffering and neglect behind bars and he would lodge a complaint against the authorities. |
The 52-year-old was a doctor by profession and fought for the rights of Algeria's minority Berber community. | The 52-year-old was a doctor by profession and fought for the rights of Algeria's minority Berber community. |
He had lived in Ghardaia, 480km (300 miles) south of the capital, Algiers, where has been friction over land and violence between Arabs and Mozabites - members of the local Berber community. | He had lived in Ghardaia, 480km (300 miles) south of the capital, Algiers, where has been friction over land and violence between Arabs and Mozabites - members of the local Berber community. |
In a post on Facebook, Mr Dabouz said his client had died in hospital on Tuesday in Blida where he had been taken after slipping into a coma. | In a post on Facebook, Mr Dabouz said his client had died in hospital on Tuesday in Blida where he had been taken after slipping into a coma. |
He accused the local authorities of failing to assist someone in danger. There has been no official response to the activist's death. | |
According to Le Monde, Dr Fekhar's heath had been already weakened by long hunger strikes during a two-year detention after deadly clashes in Ghardaia in 2015. | According to Le Monde, Dr Fekhar's heath had been already weakened by long hunger strikes during a two-year detention after deadly clashes in Ghardaia in 2015. |
His arrest in March followed an interview in which he criticised "segregationist" attitudes towards Mozabites in Ghardaia, the paper said. | His arrest in March followed an interview in which he criticised "segregationist" attitudes towards Mozabites in Ghardaia, the paper said. |
Amnesty International called on the authorities to investigate his death and "immediately review their repressive policies and the shameful treatment of activists and protesters". | Amnesty International called on the authorities to investigate his death and "immediately review their repressive policies and the shameful treatment of activists and protesters". |
The rights group added that the North African country must allow for freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate peacefully. | The rights group added that the North African country must allow for freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate peacefully. |
Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned as president last month after 20 years in power following weeks of massive street protests. | Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned as president last month after 20 years in power following weeks of massive street protests. |
But the demonstrations have continued as protesters are unhappy that allies of Mr Bouteflika are organising the polls scheduled for 4 July. | But the demonstrations have continued as protesters are unhappy that allies of Mr Bouteflika are organising the polls scheduled for 4 July. |
The Berbers were the original inhabitants of North Africa before the 7th Century Arab invasion, and account for about 30% of Algeria's 41 million people. | The Berbers were the original inhabitants of North Africa before the 7th Century Arab invasion, and account for about 30% of Algeria's 41 million people. |