Human rights groups say Algeria’s government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, using repressive laws and tactics to silence critical voices and limit fundamental freedom, according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The organization accused authorities of targeting journalists, activists, and lawyers with arrests and harsh penalties, further restricting freedom of expression, assembly, and the press.
Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was re-elected for a second term in September with 84.3% of the vote. HRW described the election climate as marked by “repression and muzzling of the media, absent genuine political debate.”
Zakaria Hannache, a human rights defender, noted that several dozen individuals were arrested during the campaign for peaceful activism or statements. The election mirrored Tebboune’s first rise to power in 2019, following a low-turnout vote amid widespread “Hirak” protests.
The report detailed numerous cases of individuals being prosecuted for expressing dissent. Mohamed Tadjadit, a renowned activist repeatedly imprisoned since 2019, was charged with “apology of terrorism” and other offenses.
While he was released by presidential decree in October, Tadjadit faced multiple convictions for his social media posts and public statements.
In another high-profile case, French-Algerian artist Djamila Bentouis received an 18-month prison sentence on appeal for a song criticizing government repression of Hirak protests. Bentouis was initially charged under anti-terrorism laws and accused of “undermining national interest” through her performances. The case drew international condemnation, with UN experts calling for the charges to be dropped.
Journalists have also been targeted. Fouzia Amrani, an independent journalist, was sentenced to eight months in prison for allegedly “insulting a state official,” while the director and editor-in-chief of Algeria Scoop faced charges of “spreading hate speech” after airing a critical video.
Authorities have clamped down on organized gatherings, preventing events and arresting participants. In Bejaïa, a book presentation was shut down by security forces, who detained the author and attendees before releasing them.
The association SOS Disparus, which advocates for families of individuals who disappeared during Algeria’s civil war, was barred from holding human rights events.
Lawyer and activist Sofiane Ouali was arrested after protesting the detention of a client. Though he was released after eight days, he faces terrorism-related charges for his advocacy work. UN special rapporteurs have urged Algeria to respect assembly rights and drop charges against peaceful protesters, but little progress has been made.