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Two years ago, a group of activists known as Scientist Rebellion blocked road and river traffic in Le Havre, Northern France, to oppose a new floating liquefied natural gas terminal.

Some activists locked themselves to the barriers on either side of the road, while others glued themselves to the asphalt. Police arrested them a few hours later and placed them in pre-charge detention for 24 hours.

Libre* is one of the 16 activists who took part in the protest. Each activist received a €200 criminal fine for blocking traffic, however they all chose to oppose and stood trial before the Havre First Instance Court, stating their acts were protected by freedom of expression. Two years later, on 10 February 2025, the Court acquitted the activists.

Libre’s case features in a new briefing developed by Amnesty International, APCOF and Suaram together with the Campaign to Decriminalize Poverty, Status and Activism “Dissent on Trial: Strategies to Counter Rising Criminalization of Activism”, which shares strategies activists, lawyers and civil society organizations can pursue to challenge the criminalization of various forms of activism including civil disobedience.

In this story, Libre reveals what inspired her activism, and why she’s hoping her engagement will lead to changes.

*Name has been changed to for security purposes

I’ve been aware of the effects of climate change since I was young. My parents used to find little notes I’d written such as “be careful with water” or “watch your waste”. It was a gradual journey, where I started taking small actions at home such as making posters for my parents, before trying to implement eco-friendly ideas in my classroom.

After that, I joined youth climate marches and organized scout projects, where we would pick up trash on beaches. However, I started to realise that youth climate marches weren’t as effective as I’d hoped, so I decided to turn to civil disobedience, hoping it makes a difference.

As part of Extinction Rebellion, I currently campaign on climate and environmental issues, taking on companies responsible for the climate and social crisis harming people, whose lives and lands they exploit.

The dangers of repression

I have faced dangers for taking part in these actions. While I was protesting against a giant water reservoir in  south-western France, it turned extremely violent and I was genuinely afraid for my life. Police were shooting at us with rubber bullets and tear gas was being thrown into the crowds. I’ve also been kettled several times, deprived of access to water or toilets, as well as held in custody, which had a huge psychological impact on me.

Police were shooting at us with rubber bullets and tear gas was being thrown into the crowds

Libre, activist

In many ways, it’s nothing compared to the dangers others face due to climate change and I’m lucky I haven’t yet faced a real threat to my life because of climate disruption. However, when your life is put in danger because of activism, it’s still significant.

Repression is having a huge effect on me and my family. When my home was raided by mistake in connection to another case, my little sister was there. When I’m held in custody or go to court, my parents and partner come, so it’s stressful for them too. I’ve suffered nightmares. There are also legal consequences — for example, if I get a record, I can’t work anymore. I also miss workdays for trials, actions, and time in custody. It has affected my ability to travel. The last time I tried to go to England on the Eurostar, I was stopped at the border and questioned. They asked for my papers and why I was going there, because I think I’m flagged — maybe even as a “S file” (a security watchlist).

Climate change and its consequences

Sometimes, I feel like I am in a constant state of stress about the cause itself — climate change and its consequences — because I see that despite everything we do, very little changes.

Personally, I haven’t yet experienced the direct impacts of climate change, at least nothing beyond heatwaves. But I’ve witnessed small things.

For example, I think my grandparents’ house is collapsing due to global warming, especially because of soil issues. I also have a friend in Madagascar, who has experienced massive cyclones. It’s hard, as they’re not the ones causing climate change, yet they’re the first to suffer from it.

What we’re doing is for everyone

I wish authorities would realize that we’re not against them. We’re also doing it for them. We don’t want their children to suffer from climate change. It doesn’t bring us money or any personal benefit. It’s not for personal gain — it’s for all living beings. Everyone has a stake in this. By silencing the scientists and stopping us from taking action, authorities are putting themselves on the wrong side of history.

I wish authorities would realize that we’re not against them. We’re also doing it for them.

Libre, activist

We show our humanity when we’re able to see each other as equals, with respect and kindness for everyone, and when we act knowing that what we do has a positive impact on humanity and on all living beings.

My commitment is having an impact

Despite everything, I try and remain hopeful – especially when we manage to carry out actions that make sense, that speak to people. I also remind myself that small initiatives are taking place everywhere. And I tell myself that even if we don’t succeed, at least I’ll have done my part. I’ll be able to say to my children, and myself, I did what I could. That’s what keeps me going.

I know my work is having an impact. I’ve already had an impact on my loved ones by helping them understand the situation, as well as realize what state our rule of law is really in. Through the harsh repression we face as activists, my friends and family can see what that says about our democracy.

Then there’s the impact of our actions. Perhaps it feels small compared to what they cost us, but there is impact. We’ve seen results. And our actions make people think or at least force them to ask themselves questions. To me, that’s what matters.

The post Libre: “I’ve been held in custody and prosecuted for blocking traffic” appeared first on Amnesty International.

The Algerian authorities must immediately drop charges against prominent Hirak activist and poet Mohamed Tadjadit and 12 other activists who face state security charges punishable with long terms of imprisonment, or even possibly the death penalty, for exercising their human rights, Amnesty International said ahead of the start of their trial on 30 November. The organization is calling on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all activists who have been detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. 

It is utterly appalling that activists in Algeria, like Mohamed Tadjadit, are facing heavy prison sentences and even the possible risk of the death penalty, simply because they advocated for political reforms.

Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“It is utterly appalling that activists in Algeria, like Mohamed Tadjadit, are facing heavy prison sentences and even the possible risk of the death penalty, simply because they advocated for political reforms,” said Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.  

“The Algerian authorities’ misuse of vaguely worded security laws to silence their critics is a grave injustice that must cease. These baseless charges must be dropped, and the activists released immediately and unconditionally.” 

Algeria has not carried out any executions since 1993. However, Algeria is yet to abolish the death penalty and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Authorities have sentenced people to death, including dissidents following unfair trials in recent years. The imposition of the death penalty after unfair proceedings renders the use of this punishment arbitrary under international law and standards.  

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty unconditionally, in any cases and under any circumstances. 

The trial of the 13 Hirak activists will commence in front of the Dar El Beïda tribunal of first instance in Algiers on 30 November. They are facing state security charges solely based on their peaceful activism advocating for political reforms. 

Unjust prosecution and risk of death sentence for expressing dissent 

The activists are facing charges of “conspiring to incite citizens against the authority of the state and to undermine national unity” (Articles 77 para 1, 78 and 79 of the Penal Code). This criminal charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and by the death penalty.  

The public prosecution also accused them of “receiving funds to carry out actions undermining state security or stability (…) as part of a premeditated plan inside or outside the country,” “publishing content harmful to national interest,” and “inciting to unarmed gathering,” respectively under Article 95bis, 95bis 1, 96 and 100 of the Penal Code that together carry penalties of 11 to 30 years’ imprisonment.  

These vaguely and overly-broad criminal provisions, which stipulate heavy penalties, lack legal clarity, directly criminalize the peaceful exercise of human rights, and are open to arbitrary and discretionary application in contravention with international human rights law and standards. In addition, the actions subject to prosecution do not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes”, interpreted as intentional killing, to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international human rights law and standards. 

The public prosecution is solely relying on the activists’ social media posts and private digital communications lamenting socio-economic conditions in the country and supporting Hirak protests as ‘evidence’.  

In some instances, the public prosecution is using online publications for which the defendants have already been previously convicted, thus indicating a violation of the principle of double jeopardy. For example, the prosecution is relying on a video shared by Mohamed Tadjadit and four co-defendants who posted the testimony of a child tortured in police custody, an act for which those five men were previously sentenced to 16 months in prison. 

Mohamed Tadjadit has previously been convicted and sentenced in at least seven separate cases since 2019. On 11 November, he was sentenced to five years in prison in another case for unfounded terrorism-related charges. Multiple defendants among the 13 are also facing multiple sentences related to their peaceful activism in separate cases.

Algeria: Further Information: Activists & poet could face death sentence: Mohamed Tadjadit – Amnesty International

On 30 November 2025, a new trial will commence for activist and poet Mohamed Tadjadit and 12 other activists who all face state security charges punishable by long-term imprisonment and the death p…

“The Algerian authorities’ repeated prosecution of activists simply for expressing dissenting opinions or for participating in peaceful assemblies reveals a deliberate attempt to close the civic space and silence any form of criticism,” said Hussein Baoumi. 

 Algerian authorities must reverse course urgently: free these activists immediately and unconditionally and cease the criminalization of dissent.

Hussein Baoumi

“Algerian authorities must reverse course urgently: free these activists immediately and unconditionally and cease the criminalization of dissent.” 

Background 

Since the outbreak of the “Hirak” protests in 2019, the Algerian authorities have maintained a relentless crackdown on all forms of dissent by arresting, detaining and convicting activists, journalists, and critics expressing opposition to the government’s policies or other opinions critical of the authorities. 

The post Algeria: Authorities must immediately drop charges against Mohamed Tadjadit and 12 Hirak activists appeared first on Amnesty International.