Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a stark warning that arbitrary detention is being employed in Tunisia to stifle dissent. The organisation is urging the government to cease its crackdown and release all political detainees, coinciding with the ongoing trial of key opposition figures accused of conspiracy. This turmoil follows President Kais Saied’s controversial dissolution of parliament in 2021, during which he began ruling by decree, solidifying his sway over the judiciary.
Opposition leaders have labelled Saied’s actions as a coup, a claim he vehemently disputes, asserting instead that he aims to steer Tunisia away from chaos and corruption rather than embracing dictatorship. HRW’s report highlighted how arbitrary detention has become a pivotal element of his repressive strategy, echoing fears that Tunisia is regressing to an era reminiscent of political prisoners.
Bassam Khawaja, HRW’s deputy regional director, remarked, “Saied’s government has returned the country to an era of political prisoners, robbing Tunisians of hard-won civil liberties.” This year alone, dozens of opposition members, journalists, activists, and lawyers have been arrested, signalling a severe diminishment of the democratic gains achieved during the Arab Spring.
Nearly 40 individuals, among them notable politicians and journalists, now face charges of conspiring against state security. Amid the brewing tension, the third session of their trial is set to take place on Friday, with all defendants maintaining their innocence. Saied has labelled them as “traitors and terrorists,” even questioning judges who previously acquitted them.
Notably, many prominent political party leaders are currently imprisoned, including Abir Moussi of the Free Constitutional Party and Rached Ghannouchi of the Islamist Ennahda party, both regarded as key adversaries of Saied. The situation continues to evolve amid increasing apprehension for Tunisian democracy.
Human Rights Watch highlights the increased use of arbitrary detention in Tunisia to suppress dissent amidst ongoing trials of opposition figures. President Kais Saied’s authoritarian rule since 2021 raises alarms over civil liberties, with many political leaders imprisoned. HRW calls for an end to the crackdown and the release of all detained individuals, reflecting the severity of the situation since the 2011 Arab Spring.
In summary, Human Rights Watch has raised grave concerns about the use of arbitrary detention in Tunisia as a means to suppress dissent under President Kais Saied’s regime. The ongoing trials of opposition leaders and the crackdown on civil liberties reflect a worrying regression towards authoritarianism. With numerous political figures incarcerated and charged, the future of Tunisia’s democratic aspirations remains precarious.
Original Source: kfgo.com
