Tunisia Accused of Crackdown on Dissent in Humans Rights Report
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has published a report condemning Tunisia's use of arbitrary detention as central to President Kais Saied's repressive policies since his 2021 power grab.
The 42-page report documented how the government intensified its crackdown on dissent, using politically motivated prosecutions and detentions to silence critics. HRW told of the cases of 22 people, including lawyers, activists, journalists, and opposition figures, facing serious charges, with at least 14 at risk of the death penalty. Over 50 people were reportedly held for political reasons by early 2025.
HRW called for the release of all those arbitrarily detained and urged Tunisia's international partners, particularly the EU, to push the government to halt its crackdown and uphold human rights.
InFocus
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Kais Saied has been re-elected president of Tunisia with 90.69% of votes cast, according to official preliminary results announced by the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE).
He faced two rivals - Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former ally who turned to critic, and Ayachi Zammel, who was imprisoned last month. Zammel received just
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The rights group has called on Tunisia authorities to end politically motivated prosecutions and allow for free and fair elections. The international rights group revealed that the government has "prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned" at least eight prospective candidates for the upcoming presidential election on October 6. The electoral commission, it said, has approved only three candidates, including incumbent President Kais Saied.
"After jailing dozens of prominent
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As Tunisia gears up for the presidential election in October, authorities are stifling dissent, "especially in the media", according to Human Rights Watch's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Bassam Khawaja. He said that at least five media professionals are behind bars because of their opinions.
"This clampdown is gradually wiping out criticism and
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A protest against President Kais Saied (file photo).
