Focus,
In our last press release dated January 18, 2025, entitled "Solidarity with Abir Moussi", we announced that Mrs Moussi, President of the PDL, had begun a hunger strike as of January 17, 2024. This information, obtained from sources close to Mrs Moussi, proved to be inaccurate. In fact, Mrs Moussi had expressed her intention to go on hunger strike.
We would like to apologize for this error and thank all those who brought this clarification to our attention. However, we confirm in full the other elements mentioned in our press release, which you will find reproduced below.
Press release: solidarity with Ms Abir Moussi
All that remains for political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Tunisia is the sacrifice of their bodies.
January 18, 2025
The Comité pour le respect des libertés et des droits de l'Homme en Tunisie (CRLDHT) has been informed of the intention of Ms Abir Moussi, President of the Parti Destourien Libre, to go on a wildcat hunger strike. Through this action, she intends to protest once again against the increasing restrictions imposed on her and the serious infringements of her fundamental rights, in particular the violation of her right to communicate freely with her lawyer. This right, crucial for any detainee, is guaranteed not only by Tunisian legislation but also by the international conventions ratified by Tunisia. It is important to remember that Ms. Moussi had already begun a hunger strike on November 28, 2023, before being forced to interrupt it due to the rapid deterioration in her state of health.
Ms. Abir Moussi was arrested on October 3, 2023 in front of the office of the President of the Republic in Carthage, while attempting to lodge an appeal challenging several presidential decrees. She faces serious charges, including "incitement to riot on Tunisian territory", "assault with the aim of provoking disorder" (under article 72 of the Penal Code) "unauthorized processing of personal data" and "hindering the smooth running of work". These charges, which could result in the death penalty, illustrate the repression exercised against the exercise of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
On August 5, 2024, Ms. Abir Moussi was sentenced to two years' imprisonment by the Tunis Court of First Instance, on the basis of the sinister decree-law n°54, following a complaint lodged by the Electoral Instance. This arbitrary sentence targets her criticism of the electoral process, an expression which falls within her legitimate right to freedom of expression.
Many prisoners of conscience in Tunisia - politicians, human rights activists and journalists - have previously staged hunger strikes to denounce the injustices they suffer in detention. These injustices go far beyond the violation of the right to a fair trial and the invention of serious charges. They also include disregard for pre-trial detention, excessive prison sentences, cruel treatment, denial of medical care and inhumane conditions of detention. The latest example is that of Ms. Sihem Ben Sedrine, human rights activist and President of the Truth and Dignity Commission, who went on hunger strike on January 14, 2025, the anniversary of the Tunisian revolution, because of the injustices she suffers.
The Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and Human Rights in Tunisia, having already expressed its support for Ms. Sihem Ben Sedrine and all prisoners of conscience in Tunisia, also declares its absolute solidarity with Ms. Abir Moussi and demands her immediate release. The Committee holds President Kaïs Saïed, his Minister of Justice, the ruling judges and the prison authorities responsible for any complications that may arise.
Finally, the Committee calls on all political forces and human rights actors in Tunisia to show solidarity and unite their efforts to press for the release of all prisoners of conscience, to put an end to injustice and to achieve the justice to which Tunisians aspire.
