Since coming to power in 2019, President Kais Saied’s grip on Tunisia has tightened considerably, especially since he centralised authority in 2021. This shift has unleashed a wave of repression, targeting critics and robbing Tunisians of essential civil liberties. As we’ve seen in 2023, the government’s attempts to silence dissent have only intensified, leading to tactics that many consider alarming.
The most chilling method in Tunisia’s arsenal of repression has emerged as arbitrary arrest. It primarily targets those who oppose the regime—activists, journalists, and even social media users. Reports from Human Rights Watch reveal a catalogue of at least 22 individuals facing detention on dubious charges, often linked to their political beliefs or spoken words, including accusations of terrorism.
Authorities have labelled many of these detainees as threats, with charges of “attempting to change the nature of the state” throwing a dark shadow over their fates—some could even face the death penalty. For example, 14 of the individuals monitored may suffer severe consequences if convicted. President Saied has stoked the fires of fear by dubbing critics “traitors” and “terrorists,” boosting the oppressive atmosphere significantly.
The strategy of intimidation runs rampant, especially through the targeted detention of prominent figures. Rights defenders observe a worrying pattern: public figures are frequently arrested following critical statements, only to have additional charges brought against them subsequently. One particularly eerie case is that of Sonia Dahmani, a well-known lawyer.
Dahmani was apprehended on May 11, 2024, in a dramatic raid at the Tunisian Bar Association by masked security forces. Her crime? A sarcastic comment made just days prior about claims—which Saied supported—that Black African migrants were trying to settle in Tunisia. Her initial sentence gave way to further legal entanglements, including a two-year sentence for her insights on racism in the country.
As of January this year, her prison term was reduced to one and a half years, but legal troubles are far from over as she faces multiple trials still. On top of this, Dahmani has also submitted a complaint regarding torture and abuse during her detention—specifically challenging the tactics used against her in prison. Reports note she endured a severe strip search that left her psychologically shaken.
As the repression reveals itself in various, harrowing forms, the call to action is clear: Tunisian authorities must urgently release those unlawfully held, lift these spurious charges, and cease the prosecution of individuals simply for exercising their rights.
Since Kais Saied’s ascent to power, Tunisia has witnessed a surge in repression, particularly against dissenting voices. Arbitrary arrests, particularly of activists and journalists, have become more common, with many facing severe charges, including terrorism. One notable case involves lawyer Sonia Dahmani, who was sentenced for her critical comments about the government. This trend raises urgent calls for the protection of civil liberties and the release of unlawfully detained individuals.
The oppressive measures employed by President Kais Saied’s administration in Tunisia have escalated markedly, effectively targeting dissenters and infringing on hard-earned civil liberties. Arbitrary detentions, harsh penalties, and the intimidation of public figures serve to highlight a troubling trend aimed at silencing any critical voice. The need for urgent actions to support human rights is clear, with calls for the immediate release of activists echoing louder than ever.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
