Full Breakdown
Tunisia’s Civil Society Faces Escalating State Crackdown
9/2/2026, 11:47:35 AM
Intensified Crackdown on NGOs and Activists
Human Rights Watch’s 49-page report (Sept 2026) documents a systematic campaign against Tunisian civil society. Authorities have prosecuted at least 47 people linked to NGOs and held at least 10 in preventive detention for longer than 14 months, exceeding the legal maximum. Following trials in 2025-26, at least 14 individuals have been convicted, including human-rights defender Saadia Mosbah, who received an eight-year term on March 19 for alleged financial crimes.
The report also identifies about 20 suspended associations, many halted under Decree-Law 2011-88 without formal warnings. Financial pressure includes the freezing of bank accounts for two NGOs and restrictions on foreign-currency access.
Background & Context
After the 2011 uprising that toppled President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia’s civil society flourished. In July 2021 President Kais Saied suspended parliament, dismissed the government and began ruling by decree, framing NGOs as threats to national sovereignty. This narrative underpins the current wave of arrests, investigations and suspensions.
Data & Statistics
- 47 people prosecuted for NGO-related activities.
- 10 detained beyond the 14-month limit.
- 14 convictions, including Mosbah’s eight-year term.
- ?20 associations suspended.
- 2 NGOs had accounts frozen; banks revoked hard-currency access.
Official Statements & Responses
President Kais Saied defends the measures as necessary to combat corruption and “destabilising attempts,” arguing they target illegal financing rather than legitimate civil-society work.
Human Rights Watch calls on the European Union to pressure Tunisian authorities to halt abusive investigations, release detained activists and reject draft legislation expanding governmental control over NGOs.
Criticism & Opposition
Human Rights Watch’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, Bassam Khawaja, characterises the campaign as an effort to eliminate independent checks on state power. Opposition parties, such as the Al-Jomhouri Party, argue the prosecutions reflect a broader erosion of judicial independence and freedom of expression.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today, an activist or anyone interested in public affairs in Tunisia thinks twice before speaking, writing or organising an activity,” — Rabie Kacem
- “There is no freedom of the press in Tunisia now,” — Noureddine Ahmed
- “By dismantling the space for civil society, the authorities are trying to ensure no one is left to hold them accountable,” — Bassam Khawaja
Why It Matters / Impact
The crackdown has chilled public discourse: activists report self-censorship and fear of prosecution. Journalists note a loss of press freedom, with equipment confiscations and reduced foreign-media collaboration on migration stories. A 2025 Arab Barometer survey shows 49 % of citizens aged 18-39 still trust civil-society groups, versus 32 % of those 40 and older. The erosion of civic space undermines Tunisia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Human Rights Watch acknowledges that the exact number of suspended associations cannot be confirmed without official data, highlighting a transparency gap.
What’s Next
Two draft laws—one leaked in early 2022 and another submitted to parliament in October 2023—would grant the executive extensive authority over the creation, operation and funding of independent organisations. Human Rights Watch urges the Tunisian parliament to reject these proposals and calls on the international community to intervene to preserve remaining civic space.
On July 25, the fifth anniversary of Saied’s power grab, thousands protested in Tunis, signalling persistent public discontent despite the heightened risk of repression.