Widespread repression reported in Tunisia amid concerns over human rights rollback

In a report released on Wednesday, April 16, Human Rights Watch has alleged that politically motivated arrests and prosecutions have been increasingly utilized in Tunisia to suppress dissent and intimidate critics of the current Administration.

Freedoms that had been hard-won during the 2011 revolution are reported to have been severely curtailed, with lawyers, judges, journalists, and activists being subjected to prosecution. The political climate under President Kais Saied has been described as regressive, with Tunisia being returned to an era characterized by political imprisonment.

The crackdown has been linked to actions taken by President Saied since 2021, including the suspension of parliament and a controversial rewriting of the constitution, which has allowed more direct control to be exercised over the judiciary. The judicial system has reportedly been instrumentalized to bring charges under broad legal provisions, including accusations of spreading misinformation and undermining state security. A particular focus has been placed on Decree-Law 54, a cybercrime statute enacted in 2022, under which dozens — including journalists — have been prosecuted, with lengthy prison terms being mandated.

According to Human Rights Watch, more than 50 individuals are currently being detained on political grounds, among them high-profile figures such as Rached Ghannouchi, former leader of the Ennahda party, and lawyer Sihem Bensedrine. Detainees have reportedly faced denied access to medical care and legal safeguards, raising alarm over the erosion of fair trial standards. Tunisia’s allies, including the European Union, have been urged to reassess their cooperation with the country in light of the reported human rights violations. Official responses from Tunisian authorities to the allegations have yet to be issued.