In the most recent Amnesty Urgent Action letter, the TRU Students’ Union wrote to President Emmanuel Macron, urging the French authorities to immediately halt the deportation proceedings against Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath. The letter also calls on France to ensure that any decisions regarding his case comply with international human rights law, uphold the principle of non-refoulement, grant him secure legal status, and protect him from any reprisals or harassment because of his peaceful activism.
“Writing this letter reminded me that human rights are not abstract ideas, they are protections that shape people’s everyday lives. When someone is targeted simply for peacefully standing up for what they believe in, it becomes all of our responsibility to speak out,” said Nada Abdelghaffar, TRUSU Accessibility Representative.
Ramy Shaath has lived in France since 2022 with his wife and young daughter and is currently facing deportation proceedings after French authorities alleged that he poses a serious threat to public order. However, the allegations appear to be based on his peaceful advocacy for Palestinian human rights and his public statements rather than any criminal conduct. In May 2026, a departmental deportation commission formally opposed his deportation, finding that his statements did not constitute a threat to public order and that removing him would have a disproportionate impact on his family life. Despite these findings, the deportation proceedings remain ongoing.
This case raises broader concerns about the protection of freedom of expression and the rights of peaceful human rights defenders. International human rights standards recognize that people must be able to advocate peacefully for causes they believe in without fear of intimidation, retaliation, or removal from the countries where they have built their lives. When governments use deportation or other punitive measures against peaceful activists, it risks discouraging others from exercising their fundamental rights and weakens the protections that human rights defenders rely upon around the world.
“What stands out to me most is that no one should have to fear losing their home, their family, or their future because they chose to speak up peacefully. Human rights only have meaning when they are protected equally for everyone, especially when they are challenged,” said Abdelghaffar.
We hope the French authorities will take immediate action to halt Ramy Shaath’s deportation proceedings, uphold France’s obligations under international human rights law, and ensure that he can continue living safely with his family free from reprisals for his peaceful activism.
We await a response from President Macron on this urgent matter.
For more Information
The Amnesty Urgent Actions Program allows the Union to take action regarding international human rights injustices that matter to students. Click this link to see injustices we have addressed previously, and for further information about this issue or to see a copy of the letter, contact the Equity Coordinator below.