Mohamed Tadjadit, widely known as “the poet of the Hirak,” emerged as a powerful voice during Algeria’s 2019 pro-democracy uprising. Rooted in the historic Casbah of Algiers, his poetry—recited in darija (Algerian Arabic) and shared widely on social media—resonated with a population demanding dignity, transparency, and political change. This article presents a fact-checked account of his role, the repression he and others have faced, and the broader implications for artistic freedom in Algeria.
A Poet of the People
Tadjadit gained prominence through spontaneous public performances in Algiers, where his verses became part of the Hirak’s living soundtrack. By choosing to write in darija, he rejected the linguistic gatekeeping often associated with formal Arabic and French, making his message accessible to everyday Algerians. This linguistic choice was not merely stylistic—it was a political act, affirming a marginalized form of expression in a country where language has long been tied to power and identity.
Lines such as “We are not beggars of freedom / We are its heirs” circulated widely on social media, encapsulating the movement’s spirit of peaceful resistance. These expressions were not just poetry—they were acts of civic participation in a context where public dissent was increasingly risky.
Censorship and Judicial Harassment
Despite the peaceful nature of his art, Tadjadit has been targeted by Algerian authorities. While detailed records of his arrests are limited, multiple sources confirm that cultural figures associated with the Hirak have faced arbitrary detention, judicial prosecution, and online censorship.
The Algerian government has used broad legal provisions—such as Article 79 (“undermining national unity”) and Article 196 bis (“spreading false information”)—to silence critics. These colonial-era and post-independence laws allow for the criminalization of speech that challenges state authority, even when nonviolent.
Tadjadit’s social media content has been removed or restricted, consistent with a documented pattern of digital repression. In 2021, Reporters Without Borders reported that over 200 activists, journalists, and artists faced legal proceedings for online expression, many under similar charges.
A Broader Pattern of Repression
The treatment of artists like Tadjadit is not isolated. Since the Hirak began, Algeria has intensified its crackdown on civil society. PEN International has documented at least 50 cases of cultural figures prosecuted between 2019 and 2023, including poets, rappers, and cartoonists. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly condemned the use of the judiciary to silence dissent, noting that trials are often marked by procedural flaws and lack of due process.
In 2024, Algeria ranked 149th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, reflecting a deeply constrained environment for free expression. The state’s control over media and public discourse has been reinforced through legal intimidation, surveillance, and the closure of independent outlets.
International Advocacy and Solidarity
Organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and PEN International have issued public statements calling for the release of detained artists and the decriminalization of free speech in Algeria. While MIMETA monitors artistic repression in Algeria as part of its global tracking, public documentation of targeted advocacy for Tadjadit specifically remains limited.
The broader message is clear: artists are not peripheral to political movements—they are central. Their work preserves memory, fuels mobilization, and gives voice to the unspoken. When poets are prosecuted, it is not just art that is under threat, but democracy itself.
Sources:
BBC Arabic, “The Poets of the Algerian Protest Movement” (2019)
Middle East Eye, “How Algerian Protesters Are Reclaiming Their Language” (2019)
Journal of North African Studies, “Language and Power in the Algerian Hirak” (2021)
Amnesty International, “Algeria: Crackdown on Hirak Protesters and Online Critics” (2021)
Reporters Without Borders, “2024 World Press Freedom Index – Algeria”
PEN International, “Algeria: Ongoing Repression of Free Expression” (2023)
Amnesty International, “Algeria: End Judicial Harassment of Protesters” (2023)
Mohamed Tadjadit is a Nominee for the Index Award 2025 Category Arts
When poetry becomes protest.
Mohamed Tadjadit, known as “the poet of the Hirak,” gave voice to Algeria’s 2019 pro-democracy movement with verses that defied silence and demanded dignity.
But his words have not gone unpunished. Arrests, censorship, and harassment show how deeply artistic freedom is under threat in Algeria.
This article explores Tadjadit’s story and what it tells us about the power—and peril—of speaking truth through art.
#Algeria #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression #Poetry #Artivism #Censorship #Hirak #MohamedTadjadit #CulturalRights #FreeSpeech
