Tunisia's human rights situation has deteriorated since President Kais Saied seized power in 2021. Civil society organizations, journalists, and opponents face repression.
Key facts
- •At least 46 people connected to NGOs have been prosecuted since May 2024.
- •At least eight NGO workers have been arbitrarily detained, with seven held in pretrial detention beyond the 14-month legal maximum.
- •Since January 2026, at least nine NGO workers have been sentenced to prison in connection with their legitimate work.
- •Saadia Mosbah was sentenced to eight years in prison, the harshest sentence yet for an NGO worker.
- •Tunisian authorities have launched arbitrary financial and criminal investigations against at least a dozen associations or NGOs.
- •Between July and April 2026, a Tunis court ordered the temporary suspension of at least 25 associations.
Five years after President Kais Saied seized extraordinary executive powers, Tunisia's human rights situation has dramatically deteriorated. The government has systematically targeted civil society organizations, journalists, and opponents. President Saied has accused civil society organizations of serving foreign interests, calling them 'traitors' and 'mercenaries'.
Repression of Civil Society
Tunisian authorities have systematically targeted civil society organizations through arbitrary arrests, detentions, financial and criminal investigations, and administrative suspensions. At least 46 people connected to NGOs have been prosecuted, and at least eight NGO workers have been arbitrarily detained. Since January 2026, at least nine NGO workers have been sentenced to prison in connection with their legitimate work.
Targeting of Specific Individuals
Mustapha Djemali and Abderrazak Krimi, connected to the Tunisian Council for Refugees, were arrested in May 2024 and later convicted. Saadia Mosbah, a prominent Black Tunisian anti-racism activist, was sentenced to eight years in prison in March 2026. Saloua Ghrissa, Executive Director of the Association for the Promotion of the Right to Difference, was detained in December 2024 and is currently on trial.
Investigations and Suspensions
Tunisian authorities have launched arbitrary financial and criminal investigations against at least a dozen associations or NGOs. In October 2024, the Tax Evasion Investigation and Prevention Brigade opened preliminary investigations into several organizations, including Amnesty International's regional office. Between July and April 2026, a Tunis court ordered the temporary suspension of at least 25 associations.
Judicial System Under Executive Control
President Saied dismantled the independent High Judicial Council in 2022 and replaced it with a provisional body under executive control. Through two decree-laws, he granted himself extensive powers to dismiss judges and intervene in their careers. Courts have ordered the suspension of civil society associations at the request of the Government Secretary General and issued politically motivated convictions.
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by AllAfrica.
