Gabes: Verdict Announced in the Case of Environmental Activist Khayreddine Dabbia and 11 Other Young Activists

On Wednesday, 21 October 2026, the Gabes Court of First Instance sentenced environmental activist and member of the “Stop Pollution” campaign, Khayreddine Debaya, along with 11 other young activists, to six months in prison, suspended. The case relates to their participation in a peaceful protest calling for the dismantling of the polluting units operated by the Tunisian Chemical Group in Gabes region.

The case dates back to 2020, following a complaint filed by the Tunisian Chemical Group in Gabes over the participation of Khayreddine Debaya and several other activists from the region in a peaceful sit-in demanding the right to health, a clean environment, fair development, and employment.

An earlier ruling was issued in absentia against the defendants on 8 March 2023, sentencing them to one year in prison. Those who had provided the sit-in tent were also sentenced to eight months in prison on charges of “obstructing freedom of work”.

On 18 March 2026, a hearing was held following the defendants’ objection to the earlier ruling. The objection was accepted on procedural grounds, and the case was repeatedly postponed until the hearing of 14 October 2026. The court then decided to reserve the case for deliberation until 21 October 2026, when it issued its ruling, sentencing the defendants to six months in prison, suspended.

In this context, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms renews its solidarity with Khayreddine Debaya and all environmental activists. It stresses that defending the right to a clean environment, fighting pollution, and demanding fair development are legitimate rights protected by law and should not be grounds for prosecution or punishment.

The Association condemns the ruling against Debaya and the other activists and denounces the use of punitive measures in response to social and environmental demands. Such an approach threatens the right to peaceful protest and civic participation and may discourage citizens from mobilising to defend their economic, social, and environmental rights.

Finally, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms reaffirms its commitment to supporting human rights defenders and calls for respect for the right to peaceful protest and an end to the criminalisation of legitimate civic and environmental movements, in order to protect fundamental rights and freedoms and uphold legal safeguards.