Algeria

The Algerian War of Independence saw over a million martyrs in the struggle for liberation from French colonialism finally achieved in 1962. A revolution led by young people, the painful legacies of violence, as well as of courage and bravery, remain with the younger generation today.

Thirty years later saw the national tragedy of a decade of violent conflict in the 1990s. Assassinations and massacres touched almost all sections of society. Algerians were trapped in a cycle of violence that only ended with an Amnesty law voted in 2005 and implemented in 2006. Young people were particularly affected by the traumas of the 1990s, with many losing their childhoods, educational opportunities, mental health as well as access to public spaces.

In 2019, young people were at the forefront once again. The movement known as the hirak, saw 54 weeks of peaceful protests on the streets and squares across the country. Collectively, they called for justice, democratic reform and opportunities. This led to a change in government and to multiple youth led initiatives to create a better future, protect the environment and create jobs.

Content Warning: Depictions of Violence

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