Tunisian human rights activist Sihem Bensedrine was released from prison after a ruling from the country’s Court of Appeal on Wednesday, AFP and Jeune Afrique reported. Despite the UN’s demand for her immediate and unconditional release on February 5, she is still under investigation for other charges. The 75-year-old activist began a hunger strike in [...]
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HRW denounces detention of human rights activist ahead of Tunisia election
HRW denounced the pre-trial detainment of prominent activist and former president of Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission, Sihem Bensedrine, in a press release on Monday calling for her immediate release. Bensedrine was detained in Manouba prison by order of an investigative judge on August 1, 2024, for her work as president of the Commission. Her [...]
Thousands protest for preservation of civil liberties ahead of Tunisia presidential elections
The Tunisian Network for Rights and Freedoms on Friday organized a demonstration in Tunis to protest against the current political climate and advocate for the defense and preservation of civil liberties, particularly freedom of expression and the right to protest. The march commenced at Republic Square and proceeded towards Habib Bourguiba Avenue, attracting dozens to potentially [...]
Tunisia court reinstates presidential candidate in upcoming election
Tunisia’s Administrative Court reinstated former minister Mondher Znaidi on Thursday as a candidate in the October 6, 2024, presidential election after upholding his appeal, according to local news. The court’s decision overturns an earlier ruling by Tunisia’s Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), which had disqualified Znaidi’s candidacy over alleged insufficient voter signatures. This ruling [...]
Violence against journalists in Tunisia increased in April: report
There was an “alarming increase” in violence against journalists in April, according to a report published by the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) on Friday. The monitoring unit of SNJT, an independent non-governmental association, recorded 20 attack cases on journalists out of the 25 notifications received from its direct sources. As per the report, [...]
Tunisia authorities place opposition leader under house arrest
Tunisian authorities placed Abdel Karim Harouni, the head of Ennahda party’s advisory council and a senior opposition figure, under house arrest on Saturday, according to a statement from the National Salvation Front, Tunisia’s main opposition coalition. The National Salvation Front called decision arbitrary, saying it targets dissent and interferes with the internal affairs of political [...]
Tunisia president announces compensation for revolution victims
Tunisian President Kais Saied Saturday announced a plan to compensate the victims of the 2011 revolution that ushered democracy into the country after the ousting of then-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Saied’s decree declares compensation for “martyrs,” including police and army personnel killed and wounded during what he referred to as “terrorist attacks.” The [...]
Tunisia ends law banning Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men
On Thursday, Tunisia's presidency spokeswoman, Saida Garrach, announced that the country's ban on Muslim women marrying non-Muslim men has come to an end. The prior law had required men to convert to Islam and submit a certificate of the conversion...
UN rights experts make recommendations to Tunisia torture prevention body
UN experts commended Tunisia Friday on the implementation of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), a torture prevention body, and recommended that officials ensure that the delegates are "well-resourced and able to function in the shortest time possible." The...
Tunisia's parliament on Saturday voted to approve a new anti-terror law despite strong criticism from NGOs and human rights groups. The law, which replaces 2003 legislation passed under the dictator Zine El...