PRESS RELEASE
Geneva, October 6, 2023 – The Geneva Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CGDDH) is closely monitoring the situation in Tunisia, where political figures and members of political parties have begun a hunger strike in solidarity with political detainees. This action comes following the arrest of another opposition figure, Mrs. Abir Moussi, two days after her arrest near the entrance of the Presidential Palace in Carthage.
The CGDDH recalls that since July 2021, President Kaïs Saïed has taken exceptional measures, invoking powers provided by the Tunisian Constitution of 2014. These measures have led to criminal investigations against opposition figures perceived as enemies of the president. Additionally, he dissolved the Parliament, enacted decrees threatening freedom of expression, oversaw the drafting of a new constitution, and sought to strengthen his influence over the judiciary, which has been instrumentalized to silence the opposition and reduce institutional checks and balances. President K. Saïed has also acquired powers that allow him to intervene in the career management of magistrates, summarily dismissing them and having the final say in the appointment of judges. For example, he arbitrarily dismissed 57 magistrates in June 2022, while an atmosphere of intimidation has grown with statements branding opposition figures as “terrorists.”
Tunisian political and partisan figures have initiated a hunger strike in support of political prisoners on strike. Over 60 politicians, including members of the main political party Ennahda and the Tunisian left, as well as influential independent figures, have joined this strike to protest against biased justice and demand the release of political prisoners. Five hunger-striking prisoners, including Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda movement and former president of the Tunisian parliament, have also launched this action in a show of solidarity.
President Tunisian Kaïs Saïed, who has criticized the hunger strike of political prisoners, has once again accused them of conspiring against state security, preferring to continue his policy of using the judicial system to suppress opposition and limit freedom of expression by intimidating journalists arrested for criticizing the government.
The Geneva Center, strongly condemning the abusive use of preventive detention to silence political opposition, states that these measures undermine human rights and democracy in Tunisia. The CGDDH offers unequivocal support for the hunger strike of detained political opponents and their family members. The CGDDH calls for international vigilance and the protection of democratic achievements and civil rights in Tunisia. The defense of democracy and human rights remains an indisputable priority in a region plagued by political and institutional instability.