On Monday, 8 June 2026, political activist Siwar Bargaoui appeared before the Correctional Chamber of the Tunis 2 Court of First Instance in connection with eight cases brought against her over her volunteer work for the electoral campaign of presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel.
Siwar Bargaoui is facing a total of 16 separate cases. Final judgments have already been issued in eight of them, sentencing her to a total of three years and eleven months in prison.
In this context, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms expresses its full and unconditional solidarity with political activist Siwar Bargaoui, who has been imprisoned for 656 days for exercising her right to participate in political life and for her involvement in the electoral campaign of presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel, who is also in prison in connection with his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.
The Association affirms that Siwar Bargaoui’s case is not an isolated one. Rather, it forms part of a systematic pattern marked by escalating restrictions on political activity and reflects a clear violation of the State’s obligations to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms. The Association also stresses the need for full respect for the principles of democracy and the rule of law, noting that the right to vote and all rights related to the electoral process are integral to this framework and essential to safeguarding it.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms reiterates that no genuine democratic process can exist while political pluralism is being restricted and activists are being imprisoned. The Association further stresses the need to comply with international fair trial standards and to end the repeated use of judicial proceedings and legal action against political opponents.
Finally, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms calls on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Siwar Bargaoui and all those detained for exercising their legitimate rights, which are guaranteed by law and protected under the Tunisian Constitution and international human rights treaties.
