Tunis, Tunisia — Leading human rights organizations have condemned Tunisia for its escalating repression of activists, opposition figures, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) under President Kais Saied, highlighting what they call a pervasive “assault on the rule of law.”

International NGOs Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch warned Friday that Tunisia’s government has increasingly targeted civil society through arbitrary arrests, detentions, asset freezes, and court-ordered suspensions, often justified by accusations of receiving “suspicious” foreign funding or undermining “national interests.”

“Tunisian authorities have increasingly escalated their crackdown on human rights defenders and independent NGOs,” Amnesty International stated, calling the actions a serious violation of international human rights standards.

Crackdown on NGOs and Human Rights Defenders

Amnesty noted that six members of the Tunisian Council for Refugees face criminal prosecution solely for their work supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Their trial, originally scheduled for October 16, has been adjourned to November 24.

The crackdown extends to both domestic and international organizations, with at least 14 NGOs temporarily suspended in recent months, including the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women and the World Organisation Against Torture.

Political Context

Tunisia’s democratic trajectory, once a hopeful model following the 2011 Arab Spring, has sharply declined. In July 2021, President Saied dissolved parliament and consolidated power, enabling rule by decree. A new constitution ratified in 2022 further cemented executive authority, while media figures and lawyers critical of the president have faced prosecution under a “fake news” law.

Mass Trials and Hunger Strikes

Human Rights Watch highlighted that more than 30 individuals, including lawyers, activists, and opposition figures, are appealing heavy prison sentences from a politically motivated mass trial held in April. Their charges, ranging from “conspiracy against state security” to terrorism offenses, are widely considered unfounded.

“This entire case has been a masquerade, from the baseless accusations to a judicial process devoid of fair trial guarantees,” said Bassam Khawaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

Among those detained is Jawhar Ben Mbarek, cofounder of the National Salvation Front, who began a hunger strike on October 29 to protest his 18-year prison sentence for alleged conspiracy and terrorist group membership. Solidarity hunger strikes have been initiated by opposition leaders including Issam Chebbi of the Republican Party and Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahdha party, who is serving a sentence exceeding 20 years.

Calls for International Action

Human rights groups are urging Tunisia’s international partners to speak out against the crackdown, overturn the convictions, and guarantee fair trials.

“Tunisia’s authorities should end this judicial farce and stop suppressing dissent,” Khawaja said.