Latest news with #TruthandDignityCommission
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A new report says Tunisia has dramatically expanded the use of politically motivated arrests
Tunisia has dramatically expanded the use of politically motivated arrests and prosecutions to intimidate and silence critics, according to a Human Rights Watch report released Wednesday. In what the group describes as a sweeping rollback of freedoms won during Tunisia's 2011 revolution, authorities in recent years have targeted lawyers, judges, journalists and activists in a crackdown on critics of President Kais Saied. 'Not since the 2011 revolution have Tunisian authorities unleashed such repression,' Bassam Khawaja, the group's deputy Middle East and North Africa director, said in a statement. 'Saied's government has returned the country to an era of political prisoners, robbing Tunisians of hard-won civil liberties.' More than 50 people are currently detained on political grounds, Human Rights Watch said, citing a January tally. Of those, 22 are held arbitrarily, while 14 face charges that could carry the death penalty if convicted. Tunisian authorities have not responded to the allegations detailed in the report, which draws a direct line between the judicial system and actions that Saied has taken to consolidate power since 2021. At the time, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic political crises, he suspended parliament, rewrote the constitution to consolidate his power and began to exert more control over the judiciary. 'The authorities' stranglehold on the judiciary, following repeated attacks on its independence, raises serious concerns about fair trial guarantees for those detained,' the new report says. Saied was reelected in a landslide last October after a campaign during which his most prominent challengers were imprisoned, kept off the ballot or jailed. The report cites military courts and what it calls 'overly broad and abusive accusations,' including charges of threatening state security, as among the tools used to suppress dissent. Politicians, lawyers, journalists and activists have been prosecuted for insulting the president or spreading so-called 'fake news.' Decree-Law 54, a cybercrime statute passed in 2022, has become a key instrument. At least 28 people — including nine journalists — have been prosecuted under the law, which mandates a minimum of five years in prison for anyone found guilty of spreading false information. Those arbitrarily detained in Tunisia include both prominent figures and private citizens. Among them are Rached Tamboura, a calligraphy student imprisoned for graffiti denouncing Saied and his treatment of Black migrants; right-wing politician Abir Moussi; and numerous members and former officials of Ennahda, the Islamist party sidelined under Saied's rule. The most prominent detainee is the party's former leader Rached Ghannouchi, arrested in 2023 and now facing multiple charges. His family told Human Rights Watch that some of his requests for routine medical care have been denied. Also detained is Sihem Bensedrine, a lawyer and former head of Tunisia's Truth and Dignity Commission, which investigated abuses under longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Bensedrine was charged and imprisoned under Saied. Human Rights Watch called on Tunisia's allies and partners — including the European Union — to review agreements with the country to ensure it complies with human rights obligations.
The Independent
16-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
A new report says Tunisia has dramatically expanded the use of politically motivated arrests
Tunisia has dramatically expanded the use of politically motivated arrests and prosecutions to intimidate and silence critics, according to a Human Rights Watch report released Wednesday. In what the group describes as a sweeping rollback of freedoms won during Tunisia's 2011 revolution, authorities in recent years have targeted lawyers, judges, journalists and activists in a crackdown on critics of President Kais Saied. 'Not since the 2011 revolution have Tunisian authorities unleashed such repression,' Bassam Khawaja, the group's deputy Middle East and North Africa director, said in a statement. 'Saied's government has returned the country to an era of political prisoners, robbing Tunisians of hard-won civil liberties.' More than 50 people are currently detained on political grounds, Human Rights Watch said, citing a January tally. Of those, 22 are held arbitrarily, while 14 face charges that could carry the death penalty if convicted. Tunisian authorities have not responded to the allegations detailed in the report, which draws a direct line between the judicial system and actions that Saied has taken to consolidate power since 2021. At the time, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic political crises, he suspended parliament, rewrote the constitution to consolidate his power and began to exert more control over the judiciary. 'The authorities' stranglehold on the judiciary, following repeated attacks on its independence, raises serious concerns about fair trial guarantees for those detained,' the new report says. Saied was reelected in a landslide last October after a campaign during which his most prominent challengers were imprisoned, kept off the ballot or jailed. The report cites military courts and what it calls 'overly broad and abusive accusations,' including charges of threatening state security, as among the tools used to suppress dissent. Politicians, lawyers, journalists and activists have been prosecuted for insulting the president or spreading so-called 'fake news.' Decree-Law 54, a cybercrime statute passed in 2022, has become a key instrument. At least 28 people — including nine journalists — have been prosecuted under the law, which mandates a minimum of five years in prison for anyone found guilty of spreading false information. Those arbitrarily detained in Tunisia include both prominent figures and private citizens. Among them are Rached Tamboura, a calligraphy student imprisoned for graffiti denouncing Saied and his treatment of Black migrants; right-wing politician Abir Moussi; and numerous members and former officials of Ennahda, the Islamist party sidelined under Saied's rule. The most prominent detainee is the party's former leader Rached Ghannouchi, arrested in 2023 and now facing multiple charges. His family told Human Rights Watch that some of his requests for routine medical care have been denied. Also detained is Sihem Bensedrine, a lawyer and former head of Tunisia's Truth and Dignity Commission, which investigated abuses under longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Bensedrine was charged and imprisoned under Saied. Human Rights Watch called on Tunisia's allies and partners — including the European Union — to review agreements with the country to ensure it complies with human rights obligations.
Associated Press
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
A new report says Tunisia has dramatically expanded the use of politically motivated arrests
Tunisia has dramatically expanded the use of politically motivated arrests and prosecutions to intimidate and silence critics, according to a Human Rights Watch report released Wednesday. In what the group describes as a sweeping rollback of freedoms won during Tunisia's 2011 revolution, authorities in recent years have targeted lawyers, judges, journalists and activists in a crackdown on critics of President Kais Saied. 'Not since the 2011 revolution have Tunisian authorities unleashed such repression,' Bassam Khawaja, the group's deputy Middle East and North Africa director, said in a statement. 'Saied's government has returned the country to an era of political prisoners, robbing Tunisians of hard-won civil liberties.' More than 50 people are currently detained on political grounds, Human Rights Watch said, citing a January tally. Of those, 22 are held arbitrarily, while 14 face charges that could carry the death penalty if convicted. Tunisian authorities have not responded to the allegations detailed in the report, which draws a direct line between the judicial system and actions that Saied has taken to consolidate power since 2021. At the time, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic political crises, he suspended parliament, rewrote the constitution to consolidate his power and began to exert more control over the judiciary. 'The authorities' stranglehold on the judiciary, following repeated attacks on its independence, raises serious concerns about fair trial guarantees for those detained,' the new report says. Saied was reelected in a landslide last October after a campaign during which his most prominent challengers were imprisoned, kept off the ballot or jailed. The report cites military courts and what it calls 'overly broad and abusive accusations,' including charges of threatening state security, as among the tools used to suppress dissent. Politicians, lawyers, journalists and activists have been prosecuted for insulting the president or spreading so-called 'fake news.' Decree-Law 54, a cybercrime statute passed in 2022, has become a key instrument. At least 28 people — including nine journalists — have been prosecuted under the law, which mandates a minimum of five years in prison for anyone found guilty of spreading false information. Those arbitrarily detained in Tunisia include both prominent figures and private citizens. Among them are Rached Tamboura, a calligraphy student imprisoned for graffiti denouncing Saied and his treatment of Black migrants; right-wing politician Abir Moussi; and numerous members and former officials of Ennahda, the Islamist party sidelined under Saied's rule. The most prominent detainee is the party's former leader Rached Ghannouchi, arrested in 2023 and now facing multiple charges. His family told Human Rights Watch that some of his requests for routine medical care have been denied. Also detained is Sihem Bensedrine, a lawyer and former head of Tunisia's Truth and Dignity Commission, which investigated abuses under longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Bensedrine was charged and imprisoned under Saied. Human Rights Watch called on Tunisia's allies and partners — including the European Union — to review agreements with the country to ensure it complies with human rights obligations.
Asharq Al-Awsat
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Tunisia: Judge Releases Prominent Journalist Mohamed Boughalleb
A Tunisian judge on Thursday released prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb, a critic of President Kais Saied, his lawyer told Reuters, a move the opposition hopes will lead to the release of other jailed opposition and media figures. On Wednesday, Sihem Ben Sedrine, a veteran politician and head of the Truth and Dignity Commission, was also released after months of detention. Riadh Mouakhar, a former minister, was also freed on Thursday. The move comes two days after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Tunisia to end the arrests, arbitrary detentions and jailing of humans rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and politicians Dozens of senior politicians, including Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constituonal Party, and Rached Ghannouchi, the head on Ennahda's party, two of Saied's most prominent opponents, remain in prison since 2023. Boughalleb, was jailed last year, on charge of insulting a public official, which the journalists union said was aimed at silencing the voices of journalists.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tunisian judge releases prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb
TUNIS (Reuters) - A Tunisian judge on Thursday released prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb, a critic of President Kais Saied, his lawyer told Reuters, a move the opposition hopes will lead to the release of other jailed opposition and media figures. On Wednesday, Sihem Ben Sedrine, a veteran politician and head of the Truth and Dignity Commission, was also released after months of detention. Riadh Mouakhar, a former minister, was also freed on Thursday. The move comes two days after the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Tunisia to end the arrests, arbitrary detentions and jailing of humans rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and politicians See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Dozens of senior politicians, including Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constituonal Party, and Rached Ghannouchi, the head on Ennahda's party, two of Saied's most prominent opponents, remain in prison since 2023. Boughalleb, was jailed last year, on charge of insulting a public official, which the journalists union said was aimed at silencing the voices of journalists. Saied seized extra powers in 2021 when he shut down the elected parliament and moved to rule by decree before assuming authority over the judiciary. Since Tunisia's 2011 revolution, press freedom has been a key gain for Tunisians and its media has become one of the most open of any Arab state. However, politicians, journalists and unions say that freedom of the press now faces a serious threat under Saied's rule. The president, who came to power in 2019 in elections, who has rejected such accusations, saying he will not become a dictator.
