The Comité pour le Respect des Libertés et des Droits de l'Homme en Tunisie (CRLDHT) expresses its deep concern at the emergency hospitalization of Sihem Ben Sedrine, 12 days after the start of her hunger strike in protest against her arbitrary detention. Aged 74, and already in a fragile state of health, her situation has seriously deteriorated, necessitating her emergency transfer to hospital.
Since January 14, 2025, a symbolic date marking the 14ᵉ anniversary of the 2011 Tunisian revolution, Ms. Ben Sedrine has decided to go on hunger strike to denounce the injustice she is suffering. From the Manouba women's prison in Tunis, she wrote a poignant letter, denouncing the arbitrary nature of her detention and declaring:
"I will not put up with any more injustice. Justice cannot be based on lies and slander, but on concrete, tangible evidence. As a result, I'm determined to extricate myself, whatever the cost, from this black hole into which I've been arbitrarily thrown."
During a visit to Manouba prison by her family and lawyer on January 22, 2025, Ms. Ben Sedrine showed alarming signs of exhaustion and revealed that she had been placed on respiratory assistance by prison doctors.
The CRLDHT holds the Tunisian authorities fully responsible for any further harm that may befall Sihem Ben Sedrine. This detention, which is arbitrary and contrary to international standards, takes place in a context of widespread repression and judicial manipulation, aimed at muzzling dissident voices and human rights defenders.
We remind you that the persecution of Sihem Ben Sedrine is based on false accusations of falsifying the report of the Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD), of which she was president.
The CRLDHT
- The immediate and unconditional release of Sihem Ben Sedrine.
- An end to the systematic prosecution and harassment of human rights defenders and political activists.
- Strict compliance with Tunisia's international commitments on justice and human rights.
The CRLDHT calls on national and international civil society, as well as human rights institutions, to exert increased pressure on the Tunisian authorities to guarantee the safety and release of Sihem Ben Sedrine.
Paris, January 27, 2025
