In recent years, Tunisia has experienced a significant decline in civil liberties as authorities intensify their crackdown on civil society, reflecting a disturbing trend of repression following the country’s 2011 revolution. This erosion of civic space has not only hindered the work of local and international civic organizations but has also cast a shadow over the rights of activists and defenders, raising alarm among human rights advocates who emphasize the need for urgent reforms to restore democratic principles and protect individual freedoms.
Tunis, Tunisia – Tunisia’s government has markedly escalated its suppression of civil society, targeting activists and non-governmental organization (NGO) members while scrutinizing the financial operations of numerous groups. According to a recent report from Human Rights Watch, this intensified repression has drastically reduced the civic landscape that emerged post-2011 revolution, leading to a troubling atmosphere for civil liberties.
The 49-page report unveiled by the rights organization details the severe measures employed against local and international civil society entities, characterized by arrests, protracted preventive detentions, and extensive legal actions. Human Rights Watch indicates that at least 47 individuals connected to NGOs have faced prosecution, with over 10 people held in preventive detention for more than 14 months—far exceeding the maximum duration permitted under Tunisian law. Among the convicted is renowned human rights advocate Saadia Mosbah, who received an eight-year prison sentence alongside a hefty fine for alleged financial crimes.
The crackdown has extended beyond individual activists to broader issues tied to migration, a topic of contentious political debate in Tunisia. Between May and December 2024, authorities apprehended various workers from organizations aiding refugees and asylum seekers, particularly amidst rising tensions regarding the treatment of sub-Saharan Africans in the country. In a controversial address, President Kais Saied described sub-Saharan migrants as elements of a “criminal plan” aimed at altering Tunisia’s demographic fabric.
Authorities have wielded existing laws that criminalize assistance to undocumented foreigners and regulations from Tunisia’s 2015 “counterterrorism” and money-laundering statutes to impose what Human Rights Watch describes as abusive charges against supporters of civil rights and NGO workers. In a further blow to these organizations, in late 2024—prior to the presidential election—investigations by the Tax Evasion Investigation and Prevention Brigade were launched against numerous associations, including internationally recognized groups like Amnesty International.
Such investigations have imposed an operational and administrative strain, triggering the freezing of bank accounts for several associations and restricting their access to vital resources. Human Rights Watch highlighted concerns regarding the government’s potential use of financial and legal procedures to intimidate civil society.
The repressive measures have also led to numerous associations being suspended. Between July and October 2025 and from April to May of the current year, authorities invoked Decree-Law 2011-88 to suspend at least 20 civil society organizations, though this figure may be significantly understated due to the lack of official transparency. Many of these suspensions were marked by procedural irregularities, leaving organizations in a vulnerable position and at risk of dissolution.
The impact of this pervasive pressure is palpable among activists, many of whom now hesitate to engage publicly on various issues. Rabie Kacem, a member of the Nafas civic collective, expressed the climate of fear that has emerged, suggesting that many choose silence over the risk of persecution.
The climate has also affected journalistic freedom, with increasing restrictions on media professionals who document human rights abuses and migration issues. Photojournalists report being stopped, interrogated, and even having their equipment confiscated while attempting to gather information and communicate with the public. This growing intimidation has led to a sharp decline in the number of working photojournalists in Tunisia.
The actions taken by President Saied’s government, including sweeping political measures initiated in July 2021 that curtailed democratic processes and consolidated power, have fundamentally altered the landscape of civil liberties. Officials have justified these measures as necessary to counter corruption and safeguard national unity, framing civil society and NGOs as threats to state sovereignty.
Human Rights Watch has voiced concerns regarding the introduction of potential new legislation designed to further constrict the operating framework of civil organizations. Two draft laws, one of which was leaked earlier this year, would grant the government extensive control over the formation and funding of independent groups.
The organization has urged Tunisian authorities to cease what it termed as abusive investigations and harassment. It has also called for the unconditional release of detained activists and the annulment of unjust convictions. Advocates stress the importance of maintaining a robust civil society that can hold authorities accountable and are appealing to the international community to support efforts aimed at preserving Tunisia’s democratic space.
Tunisia is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which enshrine the rights to freedom of assembly and expression and include safeguards against arbitrary detention and ensure access to fair trial protections. “The broad crackdown on civil society signifies an attempt by the authorities to eliminate accountability checks,” said Bassam Khawaja, Human Rights Watch’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, calling for urgent international action to protect remaining civic freedoms in Tunisia.
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