On February 19, 2025, the Indictment Division of the Tunis Court of Appeal decided to release Sihem Ben Sedrine, former President of the Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD), while imposing a ban on her leaving the country. This decision comes after Ms Ben Sedrine appealed against the rejection of her request for release in the case of the alleged falsification of the IVD's final report, notably on the dispute between the Tunisian State and the Banque franco-tunisienne (BFT).
The Comité pour le respect des libertés et les droits de l'homme en Tunisie (CRLDHT) welcomes this release, but strongly denounces the abusive and arbitrary legal proceedings of which Ms. Ben Sedrine is the target, considering these actions as a maneuver aimed at discrediting the transitional justice process in Tunisia. The CRLDHT points out that Sihem Ben Sedrine is facing six court cases linked to her management of the IVD, and recalls that the Instance's mission was to investigate serious human rights violations between 1955 and 2013. The CRLDHT also salutes the strong mobilization of national and international solidarity in support of Sihem Ben Sedrine, which undoubtedly contributed to the decision to release her.
The CRLDHT calls on :
1. Immediate lifting of the travel ban.
2. The dropping of all charges against Mrs. Ben Sedrine.
3. Protection of IVD members against reprisals.
4. International mobilization to defend freedoms in Tunisia and demand the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
The CRLDHT stresses that these legal proceedings are a manifestation of the climate of repression in Tunisia targeting human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents. It reaffirms its support for Sihem Ben Sedrine and for transitional justice, which is essential to guarantee truth, justice and dignity for the victims of past violations.
