Since 2023, Tunisia has been experiencing unprecedented repression. The first mass arrests in the so-called "conspiracy against state security" case paved the way for a strategy aimed at criminalizing dissent and subjecting the justice system to the dictates of those in power.
On November 27, 2025, this drift reached its peak: the appeals court handed down 824 years in prison in a matter of hours, without defendants, without defense, without a real trial. A political verdict.
Since then, the repressive machine has been running wild:
– Maître Ayachi Hammami, arrested for denouncing arbitrariness;
– Chaïma Issa, activist and journalist, arrested in the middle of a demonstration;
– Néjib Chebbi, 81, a historic figure of the opposition, also arrested; as well as activists, bloggers, journalists, lawyers, trade unionists, and members of civil society.
At the same time, the government has set out to bring the justice system to heel, stifle civil liberties, reduce media space, and intimidate all independent organizations.
Repression that masks the government's failure
This waveof repression is not just a repressive strategy: it is a method of hiding failure. The state represses instead of investing, criminalizes instead of listening, lies instead of acting.
In short: subjugate the justice system, isolate associations, terrorize journalists, prepare for a clash with trade unionists. The goal is simple: prevent society from breathing, thinking, organizing.
A collective response is needed
Faced with this authoritarian drift and this strategy of destroying countervailing powers, a time of convergence of resistance is needed:
✔️To collectively bear witness to the repression that has been targeting free speech, civil society, the media, lawyers, bloggers, and trade unionists since 2023;
✔️To document the social, economic, and environmental crises—from Gabès to the entire country—marked by precariousness, inflation, and brain drain;
✔️To prepare a response to attacks on associations and those announced against the UGTT and other trade unions;
✔️To contribute to a common front of associations, trade unions, legal professionals, and citizens capable of defending fundamental freedoms and rights;
✔️To strengthen and activate international solidarity, which is essential in the face of repression that transcends national borders.
WE CALL ON:
CITIZEN AND SOLIDARITY MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2025, AT 7 PM
AT THE BOURSE DE TRAVAIL,
RUE CHÂTEAU D’EAU, PARIS, MÉTRO RÉPUBLIQUE
Opposition is not a crime. International solidarity is essential.
At the call of the Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and Human Rights in Tunisia, with the support and presence of leaders from French and international civil society (associations, political parties, and unions).
First signatories:
- The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) – Alexis Deswaef, President
- The League for Human Rights – (LDH) – Marie Christine Vergiat
- Euromed Rights
- Euromed France Network – (REF)
- The Movement Against Racism and for Friendship Among Peoples – (MRAP)
- ATTAC
- Cédetim/IPAM
- Frantz Fanon Foundation – (FFF)
- Citizens' Assembly of People of Turkish Origin – (ACORT)
- Moroccan Association for Human Rights – (ASDHOM)
- Association of Maghreb Workers in France – (ATMF)
- Collective of Families of the Disappeared in Algeria – (CFDA)
- CS- Algerian League for Human Rights – (CS-LDDH)
- Women in All Their Diversity
- Palestine Citizenship Forum – (PCF)
- Vo Tran Nath – Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR).
- Raphaël Nyama Kpandé-Adzaré – Honorary President of the Togolese League
- Laurent Munyandilikirwa, President of the Observatory for Human Rights in Rwanda (ODHR)
- Mounir Satouri – Member of the European Parliament (Ecologists)
- Pierre Henri – President, France Fraternité
Unions:
- Solidaires Union
Political parties:
- AFTER – Raquel Garrido, former member of parliament
- New Anti-Capitalist Party – NPA
- Socialist Party – Dylan Boutiflat – Member of Parliament, Secretary for International Affairs – (PS)
