The Comité pour le respect des libertés et des droits de l'homme en Tunisie (CRLDHT) expresses its deepest indignation and full solidarity with the Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT), the target this Thursday, August 7, 2025 of an unacceptable attack on its headquarters in Tunis.

Anonymous and organized groups attempted to force their way into the UGTT offices at Place Mohamed Ali, brandishing hateful slogans hostile to union action, even calling for the dissolution of the central union. These extremely serious scenes are reminiscent of the attacks orchestrated against the UGTT in December 2012, carried out at the time by so-called "revolution protection" militias. These events did not happen by chance: they are part of a climate of widespread repression, criminalization of social movements and civic action, and methodical stifling of all forms of protest. The attack was made possible by the sudden lifting of security roadblocks around the square, raising serious questions about the role of the authorities.

The day before, Kaïs Saïed - reacting to the 3-day strike in the transport sector on July 30, 31 and August 1 - publicly accused trade unionists of "treason", instilling a discourse of hatred and designation that legitimizes physical attacks on workers' representative institutions. At the same time, the government unilaterally suspended all social negotiations, breaking off legitimate frameworks for dialogue and accentuating polarization. This sequence can only be interpreted as an attempt to silence one of the country's last remaining checks and balances.

The attack also came at a particularly opportune moment for its instigators: in the middle of summer, when many militants are on leave, media attention is reduced, and the organization itself is going through an internal crisis with profound disagreements over its governance. But no division, no discouragement, no internal conflict can justify inaction, silence or abandonment. What is at stake goes beyond the momentary state of the UGTT: it is the very existence of a free and combative trade unionism in Tunisia that is at stake.

We salute the vigilance, control and dignity of the trade unionists and employees who stood firm in the face of provocation. Their peaceful mobilization in defense of their organization deserves our respect and support.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms :

• this premeditated and serious assault,
• the president's hateful, threatening speech,
• the failure - or even complicity - of the security forces,
• the government's strategy of confrontation, breaking off dialogue and scapegoating.

We call :

• the immediate opening of an independent judicial inquiry,
• the immediate resumption of social dialogue while respecting union autonomy,
• a broad mobilization of trade union, associative and democratic forces in Tunisia and beyond to defend trade union rights.

We recall that the UGTT, despite tensions, deviations and internal debates, remains a central structure in the democratic reconstruction of the country. It must be able to play its full role in defending workers' rights, re-establishing a climate of freedoms and forcefully demanding the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.

Trade unionism is not a crime. Social criticism is not treason.
The UGTT is not alone.

Solidarity with the UGTT.
No to political violence.
Yes to trade union freedom, dialogue and social justice.

Paris, August 7, 2025