Tunisian human rights organizations have issued a stark warning following the suspension of activities for at least 17 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in recent months. The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) has characterized the move as a deliberate attempt to dismantle civil society and stifle critical voices within the country.
During a press conference, LTDH President, Bassam Tarifi, emphasized that these decisions do not target political opposition parties, but rather organizations that supplement the state’s efforts in areas where it struggles to reach. He expressed deep concern over the implications of these suspensions for the future of civil liberties in Tunisia.
Since President Kais Saied’s consolidation of power in July 2021, rights groups have voiced increasing concerns about a significant erosion of civil freedoms. Numerous critics of Saied’s administration have been imprisoned, some on charges of spreading false information or conspiring against state security.
According to sources, the affected organizations include well-established and respected groups such as the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) and the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD). The Tunis office of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has also been impacted by the suspensions. Furthermore, news websites Inkyfada and Nawaat have been temporarily shut down, according to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT).
These organizations fear that the current suspensions may be a prelude to permanent closures. Zied Dabbar, head of the SNJT, stated that these actions are occurring within a broader political context marked by a dangerous surge in hate speech directed towards dissenters. He added that the editorial line of certain media outlets is clearly unsettling the authorities.
Dabbar emphasized the importance of viewing these decisions within the context of heightened political tensions and a confrontational rhetoric aimed at both political parties and civil society organizations. The SNJT previously issued a warning about the escalating censorship and unprecedented levels of threats facing journalists in Tunisia.
