Tunisia’s civil society faces growing pressure as crackdown widens
Summary
The Tunisian government has increased pressure on civil society groups by investigating, suspending, and prosecuting activists and NGOs, especially those working with refugees and migrants. Human Rights Watch reports that many people have been arrested, detained longer than allowed by law, or sentenced to prison, shrinking the space for public participation and human rights work.Key Facts
- Tunisian authorities have prosecuted at least 47 people linked to NGOs and held at least 10 in preventive detention longer than the legal limit.
- Since 2025, at least 14 civil society members have been convicted and sentenced to prison.
- Human rights defender Saadia Mosbah was sentenced to 8 years in prison and fined for financial crime charges.
- The crackdown targets groups assisting refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, especially amid heightened tension over sub-Saharan Africans in Tunisia.
- Authorities use laws against irregular immigration, counterterrorism, and money laundering to pursue cases against activists and NGO workers.
- Financial investigations and restrictions have burdened associations, causing some bank accounts to freeze or close.
- At least 20 civil society organizations have been suspended recently using an association law.
- Human Rights Watch expresses concern that these legal and financial actions are intended to intimidate civil society.
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