Eight Years in Prison for Saadia Mosbah: The Criminalization of Anti-Racism Reaches a New Low in Tunisia

June 24, 2026
crldht

The Committee for the Respect of Human Rights and Freedoms in Tunisia (CRLDHT) expresses its deep outrage following the confirmation on appeal of Ms. Saadia Mosbah’s sentence of eight years in prison and a fine of more than 120,000 dinars.

This decision comes after more than two years of detention, stigmatization, and smear campaigns. It marks a new stage in a case that has become emblematic of the setbacks Tunisia is experiencing with regard to the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the protection of human rights defenders.

Saadia Mosbah is one of the most prominent figures in the fight against racism in Tunisia. As a Black woman, she herself has experienced the discrimination and prejudice that still affect many Black Tunisians. She chose to channel that experience into a fight for equality, dignity, and justice. Her commitment has helped bring recognition to the existence of racism in Tunisia and led to the passage of the 2018 law against racial discrimination.

It is precisely because she embodied this struggle that her conviction goes far beyond her personal case. Saadia Mosbah has become a symbol of the anti-racist voice that those in power are trying to silence.

The CRLDHT believes that this case bears all the hallmarks of political targeting. Since the president’s speech on February 21, 2023, in which he accused certain organizations of participating in an alleged plan to “change the country’s demographic composition,” sub-Saharan migrants and their advocates have been singled out as scapegoats.

On May 6, 2024, just a few hours after an investigation into the Mnemty association was launched, its headquarters were raided and Saadia Mosbah was arrested. The lack of a serious preliminary investigation and the speed of the proceedings gave the impression that her guilt had been decided even before the case was opened.

Beyond this specific case, it is the entire independent civil society that is now under attack. Solidarity is being criminalized, human rights defenders are being prosecuted, and racist speech, actions, and crimes—which go unpunished—are becoming normalized.

The CRLDHT also wishes to emphasize the political and moral responsibility of the European authorities. By making Tunisia a privileged partner in migration control and a guardian of Europe’s borders (a “safe country”), the European Union and its member states have all too often turned a blind eye to the erosion of civil liberties, the repression of civil society, and the rise of racism.

The silence and complacency of many European leaders in the face of the criminalization of solidarity contribute to reinforcing the impunity of those who violate fundamental rights. Human rights cannot be sacrificed in the name of immigration policies.

Saadia Mosbah is not a criminal. Her only “crime” is having defended the most vulnerable, fought racism, and refused to bow to hate speech.

In light of this situation, the CRLDHT:

Condemns in the strongest possible terms the upholding on appeal of Saadia Mosbah’s conviction;
Demands his release and respect for his fundamental rights;
Condemns the criminalization of civic engagement, humanism, and solidarity;
Calls on the Tunisian authorities to put an end to the prosecution of human rights defenders;
Calls on the European Union to make its cooperation with Tunisia contingent upon the effective respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Calls on national and international organizations to step up their efforts in support of Saadia Mosbah and all victims of repression.

The CRLDHT reminds us that fighting racism is not a crime. Solidarity is not a crime. Defending human rights is not a crime.

Freedom for Saadia Mosbah.

Paris, June 24, 2026

Committee for the Respect of Human Rights and Freedoms in Tunisia (CRLDHT)

The appellate ruling

Saadia Mosbah: sentenced to 8 years in prison and a fine of more than 120,000 dinars.
Ghofrane Benous: sentenced in absentia to 3 years in prison.
Zied Rouine, Amina Boukamcha, Farès Kablaoui, and Hiba Abassi were granted a stay of execution of the prison sentences handed down at the trial court (3 years in prison).
Zied Rouine was fined 34,113 dinars and 500 millimes.
Farès Kablaoui was fined 23,665 dinars.
The decisions to dismiss the cases againstIlhem Kaâouachi, Slim Soukni, and Rabii Al-Garfi in their entirety have been upheld.
The partial dismissals granted to Hiba Abassi and Amina Boukamcha were also upheld.