LTDH suspended for one month and increased pressure on associations (FTDES, Al-Khat); journalist Zied Heni placed in detention, joining Mourad Zghidi and Borhene Bessaies; Jawhar Ben Mbarek on his 28th day of a hunger strike; Chaïma Issa’s health condition is a cause for concern; former Bar Association president Chawki Tabib is imprisoned and Sihem Ben Sedrine faces the threat of detention; Rached Ghannouchi has been sentenced to cumulative prison terms totaling several decades, and Khayem Turqui has also been handed down very harsh sentences

Such is the state of affairs in Tunisia. A worrying and deliberate drift is becoming increasingly evident day by day, marked by a surge in legal proceedings, the suppression of critical voices, and the alarming deterioration of detention conditions for political figures, media personalities, and civil society activists.

On April 24, 2026, journalist Zied Heni was placed in police custody for 48 hours under Article 86 of the Telecommunications Code for expressing a critical opinion on social media regarding a court ruling related to the case of journalist Khalifa Guesmi. This provision, which carries penalties of up to two years in prison, is now being misused to criminalize free speech and silence dissenting voices.

This case is neither isolated nor accidental. It is part of a broader crackdown on press freedom and independent media. Journalists Mourad Zghidi and Borhene Bessaies have been detained for more than 700 days and continue to face additional convictions, in a clear case of judicial harassment. At the same time, independent media outlets, such as Inkyfada, are facing serious threats, including the possibility of being shut down.

Civil society is also being targeted. Organizations such as Al-Khat and the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) are facing multiple forms of pressure—administrative, judicial, and financial—in a clear attempt to weaken them. The FTDES is particularly targeted through the harassment of its leaders. As for the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), it faces a one-month suspension of its activities, a measure that constitutes a direct and serious violation of freedom of association.

On the political and legal fronts, the pattern of systematic prosecution continues. Sihem Ben Sedrine, former president of the Truth and Dignity Commission, has been subjected to a series of legal proceedings since 2023 and now faces the threat of being imprisoned again. Former Bar Association President Chawki Tabib, for his part, was placed in detention in April 2026 as part of a process marked by a proliferation of cases against him, reflecting ongoing pressure.

At the same time, the situation of political prisoners has reached an alarming level. In the so-called “conspiracy against state security” case, extremely harsh sentences—up to 66 years in prison—were handed down following proceedings marred by serious violations of fair trial guarantees. Several prominent political figures were targeted.

Rached Ghannouchi, president of the Ennahda movement and former president of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, has been in detention since April 2023 and is facing a series of charges in multiple cases, including conspiracy against state security, foreign funding, and terrorism-related charges. In April 2026, he and members of his party were sentenced to 20 years in prison in a case related to political meetings, a sentence that adds to other recent convictions—including a 20-year sentence on appeal in a separate case and a 3-year sentence for foreign funding—bringing the total to several decades of imprisonment.

Khayem Turqui, a politician who was arrested in 2023, is also facing charges in connection with the conspiracy case as well as in financial cases. In April 2026, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison for money laundering and fraud. This conviction comes on top of other particularly harsh sentences handed down in the conspiracy case, amounting to decades in prison. His defense also points out that certain financial allegations had already been the subject of proceedings abroad, notably in Switzerland, resulting in an acquittal, which raises questions about the consistency and fairness of the prosecutions in Tunisia.

Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, who has been on a hunger strike for 28 days, is seeing his health deteriorate dangerously, putting his life at risk.

The situation of Chaïma Issa, who has been imprisoned since February 2023, also illustrates this deterioration. Her health is deteriorating, marked by severe pain in her neck—in an area that has already undergone surgery—without the necessary guarantees regarding medical care being clearly ensured. These developments echo repeated warnings, particularly during her hunger strike in 2025.

In light of this situation, it is no longer enough simply to raise the alarm; we must firmly denounce a troubling trajectory that is undermining democratic gains. Respect for human rights, the independence of the judiciary, and the protection of fundamental freedoms cannot be compromised. They must be guaranteed without reservation.

Given the gravity of the situation, we call on the Tunisian authorities to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Tunisia, as well as all those detained for the peaceful exercise of their fundamental rights and freedoms.
• Immediately and unconditionally release journalist Zied Heni and all journalists who are being prosecuted or detained for doing their jobs, including Mourad Zghidi and Borhene Bessaies.
• Ensure the protection of the lives and health of detainees by providing immediate access to adequate and independent medical care, particularly for Jawhar Ben Mbarek and Chaïma Issa.
• Put an end to the misuse of Article 86 of the Telecommunications Code and bring national legislation into line with international standards on freedom of expression.
• Respect the guarantees of a fair trial, particularly in politically motivated cases, and put an end to the prosecution of opposition figures, journalists, and civil society activists.
• Cease all forms of judicial, administrative, and financial harassment against associations, including the FTDES, Al-Khat, and other independent organizations.
• Lift the suspension of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) and fully guarantee the freedom of association and organization.
• Ensure the independence of the judiciary and put an end to any exploitation of the judicial system for political purposes.
• Respect Tunisia’s international human rights commitments, particularly with regard to freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and the protection of human rights defenders.

We call on all active forces—civil society organizations, labor unions, political parties, journalists, intellectuals, and citizens—in Tunisia and around the world to mobilize and express their active solidarity with all victims of these violations of rights and freedoms.

We call for:

• Join forces to defend freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and freedom of association;
• Support journalists, political prisoners, and their families, who are facing increasingly difficult conditions;
• Increase advocacy, awareness-raising, and peaceful mobilization efforts to curb violations of fundamental rights;
• Call on the Tunisian authorities and international bodies to fully assume their responsibilities regarding respect for human rights.

The defense of fundamental freedoms is a collective responsibility. Today, it requires broad, determined, and sustained action to preserve the gains we have made and prevent any lasting erosion of the rule of law.

Paris, April 25, 2026