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Tunisia: Ongoing Prosecutions of Journalists Threaten What Remains of Media Freedom

Tunisian journalists hold up banners calling for press freedom in front of the headquarters of the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) in Tunis on May 5, 2022. (Photo: Fathi Belaid / AFP)

The International Federation of Journalists (FIJ) condemned in a statement the prosecutions of journalists in Tunisia, expressing its deep concern over the escalating security and judicial targeting of media freedom. The Federation affirmed its rejection of the summoning of journalist Hachemi Nouira by the judicial unit in Moknine, based on a complaint filed by the Independent High Authority for Elections due to his statements about the recent presidential elections, which were broadcast on the “9” channel. The Federation considered that these measures aim to restrict the right of journalists to express their opinions and carry out their oversight duty over the electoral process.

This condemnation by the International Federation of Journalists (FIJ) comes in conjunction with a series of other summonses, as a number of journalists were summoned due to their media work. Journalist Khawla Boukrim was questioned on suspicion of assaulting a security officer while covering a demonstration (she was present as a defendant), a photojournalist was arbitrarily detained and his equipment was seized while filming in front of the Ministry of Justice (his equipment was seized after his work on a report on the trials), and journalist Rahma Bahi was summoned to appear before the National Unit for the Investigation of Complex Financial Crimes as a witness.

According to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists, the number of judicial referrals against journalists in 2024 reached 37 cases, with the adoption of punitive legal texts outside the framework of the law regulating journalistic work. The union stressed in its statement that these practices threaten freedom of the press and aim to restrict public criticism directed at the authorities. FIJ and the union called on the Tunisian authorities to stop these prosecutions and respect the right of journalists to practice their work without harassment or threats.

In a strongly worded statement, the International Federation of Journalists (FIJ) called on the Tunisian authorities to respect freedom of the press, stop prosecutions against journalists and ensure that the judiciary is not exploited to prosecute media workers. He expressed his full solidarity with Tunisian journalists, considering these practices “contrary to Tunisia’s international obligations to protect press freedom.”

External photo: Tunis, May 5, 2022 (Fathi Belaid / Agence France-Presse – AFP)

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Call to Action

Website petition: Freedom for prisoners of conscience and activists in Tunisia!

Tunisia is no longer the Arab exception that inspired the world in 2011 with a heroic revolution that overthrew the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who ruled for nearly 23 years after seizing power on November 7, 1987, in a coup against Habib Bourguiba.

In a similar and perhaps more dangerous move, on the night of July 25, 2021, Tunisian President Kais Saied carried out a “constitutional coup” in accordance with his personal interpretation of Article 80 of the 2014 Revolutionary Constitution, announcing that he had taken a set of exceptional measures due to the “imminent danger” that threatens Tunisia without providing any details or reasons.

In accordance with these measures, Saied dismissed the government and the prime minister Hichem Mechichi who was present at the National Security Council that night at the Carthage Palace, and claimed that he had contacted the Speaker of Parliament Rached Ghannouchi (leader of the Ennahdha party) to consult with him in accordance with what is stipulated by the constitution, a claim which Ghannouchi denied since the call was general and did not include anything about exceptional measures or any consultation on the matter. The president suspended Parliament and later dissolved it in March 2022.

Not only did Saied seek to bypass his powers and the articles of the Constitution, which he swore to protect before the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, but he went on to dismiss and change the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council after redefining the judiciary it as a “function” rather than an independent authority. He further replaced members of the Supreme Electoral Commission in preparation for the referendum he held in order to vote on a constitution that he wrote himself after dismissing the proposals of the drafting committee he had himself appointed. Then legislative elections were held over two rounds, in which the participation rate did not exceed 8% of the total number of voters, with the Election Commission later announcing that it had reached 11%, which is the lowest participation rate in Tunisia and globally.

On February 11, President Saied’s regime launched a campaign of protests that has not stopped since, against political leaders, media figures, journalists, judges and senior officials and civil servants, for charges of “conspiring against the security of the state and committing an offensive act against the President of the Republic,” in addition to other charges that were referred to the military prosecution, leading one to wonder about the implication of the Tunisian army in the actions taken by Saied.

The arbitrary arrests were marred by several procedural violations amid criticism from prominent international organizations and observatories in the field of human rights. The standards of litigation and detention period and conditions were not respected. Prosecution and harassment sometimes extended to the detainees’ families, and no evidence, and in many cases, no charges against them were presented.

Moreover trade unions and political parties continue to be subjected to constant harassment and restrictions. Saied continues to target all “intermediary bodies” accusing them of “collaboration” or “treason”. Civil society associations have also been subjected to prosecution, arbitrary arrests and deprivation from representation, in a context of of increasing violence in society due to the authorities’ adoption of racist and discriminatory speeches and rhetoric inciting infighting and violating human dignity.

In light of the above, we, the undersigned, demand the following:

Call for the immediate release of all political detainees, immediately and unconditionally. We also urge the Tunisian authorities to recognize the national and the international human rights treaties they have ratified.
Call on the Tunisian authorities to stop dismantling the nascent democracy and put an end to unfair trials and prosecutions against political opponents of the regime and anyone who criticises it.
Call on all activists and observers to join the national movement for restoring democracy and ending authoritarian rule that has taken Tunisia back to despotism, injustice, and violations of rights and freedoms.