The Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and Human Rights in Tunisia expresses its deep concern following the verdict handed down in the case relating to the death of Jilani Dabboussi.

The convictions handed down against leaders of the Ennahda movement raise serious questions. On February 24, 2026, the criminal division of the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced Noureddine Bhiri, former Minister of Justice, and Dr. Mondher Ounissi, former advisor to the Ministry of Health, to four years in prison.

Beyond the court decisions themselves, the conditions under which the proceedings were conducted and the context in which this case was reopened call for particular vigilance.

Two major questions remain.

The first concerns the timing of the prosecutions. Why were certain responsibilities only pursued at a specific political moment, when the facts are old and have been known for many years? A credible justice system cannot allow the impression of selective timing to take hold.

The second issue concerns the very principle of institutional responsibility. How can it be explained that ministers or advisers are held criminally responsible in this case, when numerous deaths of prisoners have been recorded in recent years without the political responsibility of successive authorities being engaged? The consistency of judicial action is an essential foundation of equality before the law.

The Committee reiterates a fundamental principle: the protection of the health and lives of prisoners is primarily the responsibility of the prison administration and the authorities directly responsible for their custody and medical care. Any questioning of higher-level responsibilities requires clear, precise, and legally established evidence.

The Committee also takes note of reports of serious procedural irregularities raised during the hearing: refusal to consider essential defense requests, contested conditions of debate, tensions within the courtroom itself. Such allegations, when made, cannot be ignored in a state governed by the rule of law. They reinforce ongoing concerns about the increasing number of trials marked by violations of the rights of the defense and guarantees of a fair trial.

It should be noted that Noureddine Bhiri, former Minister of Justice and leader of the Ennahdha movement, who was arrested in February 2023, has been convicted on several occasions. In particular, he was sentenced to ten years in prison in a case related to posts attributed to him on social media, as well as to four years in prison in the first instance in the Dabboussi case. He was also given very heavy sentences in the so-called "conspiracy against state security" trial, in a highly controversial political and judicial context.

Dr. Mondher Ounissi is a Tunisian academic physician specializing in nephrology and a political figure in the Ennahdha movement. A university professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Tunis, he is renowned for his academic and scientific achievements. Arrested in September 2023, he was prosecuted and sentenced to four years in prison in the first instance.

His case serves as a reminder that no one should be reduced to a criminal label without all the guarantees of a fair trial having been fully respected. The presumption of innocence is not a formality; it is a fundamental principle of justice.

The Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and Human Rights in Tunisia reaffirms its unwavering commitment:

– the right to a truly fair trial;
– strict respect for the rights of the defense;
– the independence and impartiality of the judiciary;
– effective protection of the dignity and health of detainees.

Given the serious concerns surrounding this case and the serious doubts about the fairness, equality, and appropriateness of the proceedings, the CRLDHT calls for the release of Noureddine Bhiri and Dr. Mondher Ounissi. It reiterates that deprivation of liberty can only occur in strict compliance with fair trial standards and fundamental guarantees of justice.

It calls on the Tunisian authorities to ensure that any legal proceedings are conducted in accordance with Tunisia's international commitments, particularly those relating to the right to a fair trial and protection against degrading treatment.

The Committee will continue to monitor developments in this matter.

Paris, February 25, 2026