Amnesty International on Tuesday condemned the arrest of at least 97 opposition members in Tunisia last week, claiming authorities have escalated their crackdown on civil society ahead of the country’s presidential elections on October 6.

The rights group found that at least 97 members of the opposition group Ennahda were arrested on September 12 and 13 and that the individuals “are being investigated for conspiracy charges and other charges under the counter-terrorism law.” The group claimed that the arrests represent a growing trend of repression in the country, stating that Tunisian authorities have increasingly harassed political opposition members and stifled media freedom and dissent by restricting independent journalists, human rights defenders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard stated:

Tunisian authorities are waging a clear pre-election assault on the pillars of human rights and the rule of law, failing to uphold the country’s international human rights obligations and undermining the fundamental principles of justice and fairness. They must end this egregious backslide on human rights and ensure respect for the rights of everyone in the country before, during and after the forthcoming elections.

The group also claimed that the country’s institutions have undermined the judiciary’s independence. The Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), for instance, recently rejected a court decision to reinstate three disqualified candidates for the upcoming presidential elections. The ISIE instead approved only President Kais Saied, Zouhair Magzhaoui and Ayachi Zammel to run as candidates. Amnesty International claimed that the ISIE’s decision demonstrates the threat to the rule of law in the country and the deterioration of judicial independence.

Last week, several human rights organizations announced the creation of an international support committee for freedoms in Tunisia. The committee called for free and transparent elections, the release of unjustly detained individuals and for authorities to cease their repressive measures against civil society. Thousands of individuals also demonstrated in Tunisia that same day, demanding respect for civil liberties ahead of the election. The protestors specifically condemned the perceived rise in authoritarianism in the country since President Kais Saied gained power in 2021.

Since coming to power, Saied has faced significant criticism from human rights organizations. Human Rights Watch found that in 2023, the president “continued to wield almost unchallenged power after eliminating nearly all institutional checks and balances on executive power.” Amnesty International also stated that the human rights situation in Tunisia has deteriorated since he came to power, citing the removal of institutional safeguards, the decline of judicial independence and the prosecution of individuals for exercising their right to freedom of expression. In its Freedom in the World 2024 Report, Freedom House found that Tunisia was only “partly free” and rated the country 51 out of 100 on its freedom status.