In Tunisia, authorities are systematically using criminal law to silence human rights defenders, judges, journalists, and civil society organisations, with several prominent cases reaching critical junctures in mid-2026.
Saâdia Mosbah, founder and president of Mnemty, a Tunisian association combating racism and discrimination and defending migrants’ rights and Black communities, has been detained since May 2024. On 19 March 2026, a Tunis court sentenced her to eight years in prison, a fine of approximately 35,000 euros, the seizure of her assets, including her pension frozen since May 2024, and the loss of civil rights for five years. Five colleagues received sentences ranging from one to six years, with four facing imminent arrest. The charges were brought under anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws, with no apparent legitimate basis for their application to the association’s activities. Mosbah had already spent approximately 22 months in pretrial detention, exceeding the 14-month legal maximum under Tunisian law. Reports indicate she was subjected to racist abuse and ill-treatment while in detention. On 19 June 2026, the Tunis Court of Appeal reviewed the convictions. UN Special Rapporteurs raised concerns about the case in a joint communication to the Tunisian government in August 2025.
Anas Hmaidi, a judge and president of the Tunisian Judges’ Association (AMT), was sentenced on 6 April 2026 to one year in prison under Article 136 of the Penal Code for « obstructing the freedom to work, » in connection with his role in the 2022 national judges’ strike. The strike was organised in response to President Kaïs Saïed’s dissolution of the Supreme Judicial Council in February 2022 and a presidential decree revoking 57 judges in June 2022. Hmaidi had faced escalating administrative and disciplinary pressure since 2022, including multiple summons and the lifting of his judicial immunity. He appealed the conviction and remained free pending a hearing on 17 June 2026. On 2 April 2026, three UN Special Rapporteurs stated that he was being sanctioned solely for defending judicial independence and that the prosecution was linked to his participation in a legitimate strike.
Mourad Zeghidi, a Tunisian-French politics and sports commentator and reporter for Radio IFM, has been imprisoned since 11 May 2024 alongside his colleague Borhen Bsaies. Initially jailed for « spreading false news, » he was not released upon completing that sentence and was subsequently convicted of « money laundering » , charges he firmly denies, stating that no evidence of any kind has been presented to support them since the case was opened in February 2024. On 12 May 2026, an appeal court upheld and extended his sentence to three and a half years. In protest, Zeghidi began a hunger strike on 4 June 2026, describing it as « a cry of anger, a protest and a plea for help. » His daughter, his sister, and solidarity activists joined the hunger strike in support. His family has expressed deep concern for his health. ProtectDefenders.eu consortium member Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for an expedited review of his appeal to the Court of Cassation and for his immediate release. Tunisia is ranked 137th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
These cases are part of a broader and accelerating pattern of repression of independent civil society, media, and dissenting voices in Tunisia since President Kaïs Saïed’s consolidation of executive power from July 2021 onwards — one that shows no signs of slowing down.
