Tunisia Accused of Shutting Down Civil Society Through Sweeping Crackdown
Human Rights Watch says authorities are using prosecutions, detentions and suspensions to silence critics, with 49% of younger Tunisians still trusting civil society organizations.
- On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch released a 49-page report documenting Tunisia's systematic crackdown on civil society through arrests, financial investigations, and mass suspensions of independent organizations.
- Since President Kais Saied's July 2021 power grab, his administration has systematically dismantled democratic bodies and publicly demonized nongovernmental organizations as threats to national sovereignty.
- Authorities have prosecuted at least 47 people linked to NGOs and held at least 10 in preventive detention exceeding Tunisia's 14-month legal maximum, while private banks restricted fund access.
- Bassam Khawaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, noted the campaign created a "chilling effect" where uncertainty itself becomes pressure on activists.
- An Arab Barometer survey reveals an emerging generational divide in Tunisia, with younger citizens aged 18-39 maintaining 49% trust in civil society compared to 32% of those aged 40 and older.
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Radio France Internationale
Modern GhanaTunisia accused of shutting down civil society through sweeping crackdown
Tunisian authorities have intensified pressure on civil society through arrests, prosecutions, financial investigations and mass suspensions, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday – warning that the independent civic space created after the 2011 revolution has been all but shut down.
Tunisia steps up civil society crackdown as anger mounts over power and water shortages
Tunisia steps up civil society crackdown as anger mounts over power and water shortages Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 10:41 At least 47 people connected with NGOs have been prosecuted since 2024, according to Human Rights Watch Tunisians protest against President Kais Saied, demanding the return of democracy and the release of jailed activists and journalists amid a worsening economic and social crisis, in Tunis, 20 August 2026 (…
Tunisia - Arabic Jerusalem: Human Rights Watch called on the Tunisian authorities to stop its repressive campaign against civil society. In Wednesday's report, the authorities said that they must put an end to their repressive campaign against civil society, respect and protect the space available to civil associations to operate fully and freely. They must also stop restricting freedom of association, end arbitrary investigations and judicial h…
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