Tunisia has withdrawn from the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, a significant move coinciding with its intensified crackdown on free speech and dissent against the Kais Saied regime. This departure hampers NGOs from petitioning the court, which plays a vital role in upholding the AU’s human rights charter. Although the government did not provide a rationale for the exit, activists interpret it as a pre-emptive strike against scrutiny over the regime’s increasing rights violations.
The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) condemned the withdrawal, labelling it a “secretive” decision that marks a troubling regression. They argue this step aims to escape independent judicial oversight that could challenge impunity and assure justice. In August 2022, the AU court ruled against Tunisia, urging it to allow detainees access to medical care and legal representation.
Since Saied’s power grab, the balance of governance has been disrupted in what once was an emblem of the Arab Spring. Many journalists, opposition figures, and human rights defenders have been subjected to sham trials for their dissent, prompting alarm from global rights organisations over the deteriorating human rights landscape.
Amnesty International has highlighted that under Saied, key protections for human rights have been systematically eroded, with the judiciary losing its independence and military courts increasingly silencing critics through draconian laws. As of November 2024, Human Rights Watch reported that over 80 individuals remained detained solely for political reasons, further illustrating the grim state of democracy and rights in Tunisia.
Tunisia has left the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights amid increased repression of free speech and dissent under President Kais Saied. The move restricts NGOs from petitioning the court and appears to be a pre-emptive strike against criticism of the regime’s human rights abuses. The Tunisian League for Human Rights condemned the withdrawal, viewing it as a retreat from judicial accountability, while various rights organisations report widespread detentions and a decline in fundamental freedoms.
Tunisia’s withdrawal from the African Court signifies a troubling trend in the deteriorating human rights climate under Kais Saied’s regime. This decision restricts NGOs’ ability to advocate for rights, while the government’s crackdown on dissent raises concerns among activists and international watchdogs. The ongoing suppression of civil liberties and the accelerating erosion of judicial independence highlight the need for renewed global attention and action.
Original Source: northafricapost.com
