Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms continues to monitor the proceedings in the trial of Mr. Anas Hmaidi, President of the Tunisian Judges’ Association who appeared Thursday, 26 March 2026 before the Misdemeanour of the Court of First Instance in Tunis.
This case relates to events dating back to 16 June 2022, when Mr. Hmaidi, in his capacity as a judge and head of a trade union structure, participated in protest actions organized by women and men judges in rejection of the arbitrary dismissal decisions that affected a number of their colleagues.
He has been charged with obstructing freedom to work pursuant to Article 136 of the Penal Code, which provides for “a prison sentence of three years and a fine of seven hundred and twenty dinars for anyone who causes or attempts to cause, through violence, assault, threats, or fraudulent means, an individual or collective work stoppage, or who causes or attempts to cause its continuation.”
These charges stem from allegations that he disrupted the conduct of an urgent hearing before the Court of First Instance in Monastir on 13 June 2022.
His judicial immunity was also lifted pursuant to the decision issued by the The Temporary High Judicial Council (THJC) on 6 September 2022.
Anas Hmaidi had previously appeared before the same chamber on 12 March 2026, before the case was adjourned until today in response to a request from the defence team to prepare the necessary submissions.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms considers that this trial cannot be examined in isolation from its broader context, which is marked by escalating pressure on independent judges in Tunisia and the targeting of the Tunisian Judges’ association through its president in addition to the other administrative restrictions that have affected the association.
Intersection Association further affirms that the actions undertaken by Mr. Anas Hmaidi fall squarely within the exercise of his legitimate rights, and that this course of proceedings constitutes an infringement of judges’ trade union rights.
It also forms part of continued attempts to harass sitting judges by creating a climate of fear and intimidation within their ranks.
The association strongly condemns this trial, which targets the President of the Judges’ Association because of his legitimate trade union activity, and considers it a clear violation of the right to freedom of association and trade union organisation, as well as a direct threat to the independence of the judiciary.
Accordingly, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms calls for the immediate dismissal of all charges brought against Mr. Anas Hmaidi, an end to his prosecution, and the cessation of all retaliatory judicial proceedings targeting judges.
The Association also calls on the Tunisian authorities to guarantee the right of judges to exercise their trade union and professional activities freely and safely, and to refrain from targeting the Tunisian Judges’ Association and human rights organisations defending judicial independence in Tunisia.
While reiterating its full solidarity with Mr. Anas Hmaidi, the Association calls upon all components of civil society and all democratic forces committed to judicial independence to stand united in confronting this political instrumentalisation of the judicial institution, to oppose all forms of interference in its work, and to defend fair trial guarantees and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, in a manner that strengthens the rule of law and consolidates the independence of the judicial authority.
