Jamila Loukil faced terrorism charges for her human rights activism

Jamila Loukil faced terrorism charges for her human rights activism

Jamila Loukil is a retired journalist (since May 2022) and human rights activist. Before the dissolution of the organisation, she was a member of the Algerian League for Human Rights (LADDH). Since April 2021, she has been facing terrorism charges related to her legitimate activities as a human rights defender. The case includes her husband, Kaddour Chouicha, journalist Saïd Boudour, and other activists involved in the “Hirak” protest movement. They were all acquitted on December 3, 2023.

Jamila Loukil is a retired journalist and human rights activist. Before the dissolution of the organization, she was a member of the Algerian Human Rights League (LADDH). She and her husband, Kaddour Chouicha, have been arrested several times in recent years. In particular, they were brought to trial on December 21, 2020 at first instance, then on June 2, 2021 on appeal, for participation in an unauthorized gathering and attempting to disrupt the meeting of a presidential candidate. They were acquitted in both cases.

On April 28, 2021, Jamila Loukil and her husband were arrested without warrant while leaving the Oran Court of Appeal after attending a hearing in their joint trial for unauthorised assembly and disruption of a presidential candidate's meeting. They were both taken to a police station for questioning.

On April 29, 2021, the Oran public prosecutor charged Jamila Loukil, Kaddour Chouicha and Said Boudour with plotting against state security and undermining the integrity of national territory; propaganda likely to harm the national interest, of foreign origin or inspiration; and membership of a terrorist or subversive organization active abroad or in Algeria, on the basis of articles 77, 78, 87 bis, 87 bis 3, 87 bis 6 and 96 of the Penal Code. They were subsequently released on bail the same day. A dozen other activists and peaceful demonstrators arrested between April 23 and 27, 2021 were also prosecuted in this case.

In September 2021, their case was transferred to the anti-terrorist unit of the Sidi M'hamed court in Algiers.

They were heard by the new investigating judge in Algiers on September 7, 2022 at the Sidi M'hamed court. On that day, the indictment division of the Sidi M'hamed court withdrew the charge of undermining state security, while maintaining the other charges.

In August 2022, Kaddour Chouicha was prevented from boarding his flight to accompany Jamila Loukil, who was due to travel to Geneva to take part in person in the pre-briefing session organized by the NGO UPR-Info on Algeria scheduled for August 31, 2022.This meeting was held in anticipation of the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Jamila Loukil refused to leave alone, preferring not to leave her husband in the hands of the security services.

This incident appears in the Secretary-General’s Report 2023 on acts of intimidation or reprisal against those who cooperate with the United Nations in the field of human rights. It is also mentioned in a communication from the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council dated February 16, 2023.

The trial of Jamila Loukil, Kaddour Chouicha, Said Boudour and the other defendants was scheduled for June 15, 2023, but has been postponed several times. On December 3, 2023, they were acquitted by the Dar El Beida court.

On June 15, 2023, several special procedures mandate holders expressed deep concern "about information received that the judicial system and its procedures appear to be being used in this case as a form of intimidation and harassment against a human rights defender and a journalist, recognised for their human rights work in Algeria."

The UN experts expressed concern about the use of certain criminal provisions aimed at combating terrorism, in particular article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, against human rights defenders.

It should be recalled that this provision, which includes in the category of terrorist act a wide variety of offences, collides with the principle of legal certainty, undermines the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and imposes disproportionate penalties on acts that should not be dealt with by anti-terrorist legislation.

Timeline

December 3, 2023: the Dar El Beida court acquits Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha as well as the other defendants.
November 6, 2023 : Jamila Loukil's trial is postponed until December 3, 2023.
September 29, 2023 : Jamila Loukil’s case is cited in the UN Secretary-General’s report on reprisals.
June 15, 2023 : Jamila Loukil’s trial is postponed until November 6, 2023; several special procedures mandate holders express serious concerns about the intimidation and harassment of Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha.
April 13, 2023 : The trial of Kaddour Chouicha is postponed until November 6, 2023; several special procedures mandate holders express serious concerns about the intimidation and harassment of Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha.
April 13, 2023: MENA Rights Group refers Loukil's case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the 2023 report on reprisals.
December 2022: LADDH members find our on social networks that their organization has been dissolved in June 2022.
December 7, 2022 : the indictment division of the Sidi M'hamed court drops the charge of undermining state security.
November 8, 2022 : the examining magistrate requests the dismissal of all charges against Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha.
August 2022 : Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha are prevented from travelling to Geneva so that Jamila Loukil could partiicpate in person in the pre-session organized by the NGO UPR-Info on Algeria, scheduled for August 31, 2022.
June 2022: the Algiers administrative court orders the dissolution of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights without informing its members.
September 2021: Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha’s case is transferred to the anti-terrorist unit of the Sidi M'hamed court in Algiers.
June 2, 2021 : Kaddour Chouicha and Jamila Loukil are acquitted on appeal of charges of taking part in an unauthorized rally and attempting to disrupt a presidential candidate's meeting.
April 29, 2021 : Jamila Loukil is charged with enlistment in a terrorist or subversive organization active abroad or in Algeria; she remains provisionally released.
April 28, 2021: Jamila Loukil and her husband are arrested without warrant while leaving the Oran Court of Appeal after attending a hearing in their joint trial for unauthorised assembly and disruption of a presidential candidate's meeting. They were both taken to a police station for questioning.
April 21, 2021 : Jamila Loukil lodges a complaint with the Oran court against the Wali (prefect) of Oran, the head of security of the Wilaya of Oran and the commissioner of security of Oran for violence, abuse of power and failure to respect the status of journalist.
April 4, 2021: Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha are arrested during a sit-in in solidarity with young Saïd Chetouane after he accused police officers of sexual violence.
December 21, 2020 : Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha are acquitted at first instance of charges of taking part in an unauthorized rally and attempting to disrupt a presidential candidate's meeting.
October 8, 2020: Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha are briefly arrested during a sit-in denouncing the feminicide of Chaïma Saadou.
November 22, 2019 : Jamila Loukil and Kaddour Chouicha are arrested and prosecuted for taking part in an unauthorized rally and attempting to disrupt a presidential candidate's meeting.

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