On February 7 and 8, 2026, in Hammamet, the Tunisian Magistrates Association (AMT) held its 15th elective congress under an unequivocal slogan: "For the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law."
In a context marked by pressure, threats of suspension, and legal proceedings against its president, the very fact that the congress is being held constitutes an act of resistance. The magistrates have chosen to respond to intimidation with votes, to suspicion with transparency, and to attempts at isolation with collective mobilization.
A firm motion: restore institutional guarantees
At the end of their deliberations, the delegates adopted a motion calling for the accelerated establishment of institutions to guarantee the independence of the judiciary, foremost among which are:
- the High Council of the Judiciary,
- the Constitutional Court .
They warned of the danger posed by the continuing institutional vacuum and the executive branch's growing influence over judges' careers, particularly through transfers, administrative memoranda, and unilateral decisions.
The motion also condemns:
- the deadlock in the appointment of senior judicial officials (first president of the Court of Cassation, attorney general, president of the Land Court, first president of the Court of Auditors);
- the delay in publishing decisions on the promotion of magistrates of the Administrative Court;
- staff shortages in trial courts, appellate courts, and supreme courts;
- the persistent paralysis of the provisional structures put in place after the dissolution of constitutional bodies.
The magistrates reaffirmed their commitment to the right of association and freedom of expression, guaranteed by international conventions ratified by Tunisia. They denounced the disciplinary and criminal proceedings against some of them.
They finally renewed their solidarity with the dismissed magistrates and demanded the enforcement of court decisions in their favor.
A tense election, confirmed legitimacy
The congress concluded with the election of a new executive committee composed of 11 members, chosen from among 17 candidates.
The results confirmed the magistrates' confidence in their outgoing president: Anas Hmaidi was re-elected as head of the association for a third term, having obtained the highest number of votes.
The new composition of the executive committee is as follows:
- Chair: Anas Hmaidi
- Vice President: Aïcha Ben Belhassen
- Secretary General: Amir Goubâa
- Treasurer: Ridha Bouliema
- Deputy Secretary General: Faker Majdoub
- Assistant Treasurer: Anouar Othman
- General coordinating member: Ali Khlif
- Member responsible for structures: Mohamed Ben Mefteh
- Member responsible for relations with organizations and civil society: Moufida Mahjoub
- Heads of the scientific and research division: Amna Nossairi and Henda Ben Hajj Mohamed
The distribution combines five outgoing members and six newly elected members, a sign of partial renewal combined with a commitment to continuity.
A battle that goes beyond the judiciary
This congress is not just a routine statutory meeting. It comes at a time of profound crisis in the Tunisian judicial system, marked by:
- the absence of a fully operational independent High Council;
- the concentration of career decisions within the Department of Justice;
- legal proceedings brought against judges for taking public positions;
- a climate of pressure affecting the peaceful exercise of judicial functions.
In this context, the judges wanted to affirm that the independence of the judiciary is not a corporate privilege but a fundamental guarantee for those subject to trial.
Holding a convention in a climate of threats, adopting a demanding resolution, organizing transparent elections, renewing leadership, and reaffirming commitment to the principles of the rule of law: all of this requires courageous commitment.
Through this collective action, Tunisian magistrates are reminding us that an independent judiciary is the last bastion against arbitrary rule. Their struggle is not just about their profession: it concerns the balance of powers, the protection of freedoms, and the very credibility of institutions.
By reappointing their leadership and consolidating their organization, they chose to continue the resistance.
And in today's Tunisia, persisting in defending the independence of the judiciary is already a major political act.
