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.
On April 15, 2024, MENA Rights Group referred the case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
On September 26, 2024, the UN Secretary-General raised the case in the 2024 report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.
On February 26, 2025, the Court of Appeal of Algiers upheld the decision of the Court of First Instance acquitting Loukil and the other co-defendants.
On April 25, 2025, MENA Rights Group referred the case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
On September 24, 2025, the UN Secretary-General raised the case in the 2025 report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.