In Algeria, Yacine Mekireche, a committed human rights defender and baker born in 1986, faces legal challenges for his activism. A member of the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS) party since 2018, he tirelessly championed the cause of prisoners of conscience. His efforts included orchestrating press conferences and engaging in solidarity sit-ins, before the party was suspended in February 2023.
Mekireche’s activism has led to multiple arrests; he has faced the judicial system three times between 2020 and 2023. Notably, on November 15, 2022, the Bouira court sentenced him to six months in prison and imposed fines for his actions. His most recent arrest occurred on August 6, 2024, at his home, where police confiscated his mobile phone, his brother’s laptop, and cash.
The judicial police monitored Mekireche’s online movements beginning June 6, 2024, driven by security reports. His online activities were scrutinised extensively after his arrest, with police delving into his messaging apps and social media to probe statements about human rights violations and his political remarks about Algeria’s judicial independence and the socio-political climate.
Following his arrest, Mekireche faced charges of “incitement to unarmed gathering” and “dissemination of hate speech via digital platforms”. The judicial process escalated quickly, and he was placed into custody at the El Harrach detention centre after the investigating judge affirmed his pretrial detention. His case was subsequently escalated to the criminal court.
On October 15, 2024, MENA Rights Group escalated concerns to UN entities regarding Mekireche’s situation, asserting that his detainment violated international rights to free expression and assembly as per the ICCPR. Ultimately, on November 17, 2024, he received a six-month prison sentence and was released on February 8, 2025, after completing his term, keeping alive the struggle for civil liberties in Algeria.
Yacine Mekireche, an Algerian human rights defender and member of the MDS, has faced multiple arrests for his activism since 2020. In August 2024, he was detained and interrogated over his online activities, culminating in charges of incitement and hate speech. Despite international appeals for his release, he was sentenced to six months in prison, highlighting the challenges faced by activists in Algeria.
Yacine Mekireche’s journey reflects the intense scrutiny faced by human rights activists in Algeria, where the declaration of freedom often clashes with political reality. His arrests underscore the precarious balance between activism and legal reprisal, revealing the ongoing battle for civil rights. Despite his recent conviction, Mekireche’s resilience continues to inspire advocacy for freedom of expression in an increasingly repressive environment.
Original Source: menarights.org
