On 28 September 2026, the Medenine Court of Appeal sentenced human rights activist and President of the Children of the Moon Association, Abdallah Saiid to two years in prison, after the Medenine Court of First Instance had previously sentenced him to one year in prison. This judgment comes as Abdallah Saiid continues to pay the price for his civic and humanitarian activism, having remained in detention since 12 November 2024.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms expresses deep concerns over the increased sentence at the appeal stage, particularly in light of the judicial proceedings the case has undergone since its inception. The case was initially referred to the Judicial Counter-Terrorism Division, before the terrorism-related allegations were dismissed and the case was subsequently returned to the ordinary judiciary in Medenine.
The Association stresses that Abdallah Saiid has dedicated years of his activism to supporting vulnerable groups and providing care and assistance to children with xeroderma pigmentosum, through the Children of the Moon Association in Medenine. The Association has played an important role in providing medical, psychological, and social support, as well as contributing to the social and economic inclusion of the communities benefiting from its services.
In this context, the Association reiterates that the consequences of this case have not been limited to Abdsallah and his family, but have also affected the communities that benefited from the Association’s services. Following the judgment, Abdullah Saiid expressed his regret that children with xeroderma pigmentosum have been forced to drop out of school for the past two years as a result of the circumstances affecting the Association. He also reiterated his pride in the humanitarian work he carried out and in the Association’s commitment to complying with the applicable financial and administrative regulations.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms condemns the judgment issued by the Medenine Court of Appeal and the increased sentence against Abdallah Saiid It reiterates its solidarity with him and his family, and commends his resilience as well as the efforts of his defence team in following up on the case. The Association further stresses that protecting civil society and associative work requires ensuring that human rights and humanitarian activities are not turned into grounds for criminal prosecution or punishment, and that the right to a fair trial, with all guarantees provided by law, is fully respected.
The Association calls on the judicial authorities to put an end to this injustice and to guarantee Abdallah Saiid’s right to exercise all legally available avenues of appeal. It also renews its call for a review of the proceedings related to his civic and humanitarian activities, in a manner that guarantees respect for freedom of association and the rights of human rights defenders.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms lastly emphasizes that protecting vulnerable groups cannot be achieved without protecting the civil society actors who dedicate their efforts to serving them, and that ensuring a safe and independent civic space remains an essential condition for Tunisia to fulfil its obligations in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
