On January 28, 2025, the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women organized a peaceful protest in solidarity with human rights activist Sihem Ben sedrine, who has been imprisoned since August 2024 and has been on a hunger strike since January 14, 2025. Ben sedrine is protesting the injustices she endures due to her role as the president of the Truth and Dignity Commission. However, the police intervened and blocked the rally.
Following the governor’s orders in the Mornaguia area, the police closed all points leading to the Prison of Mornaguia and blocked all forms of transportation leading to the prison site. Many attendees reported to the Intersection Association for Rights and freedoms that they were stopped and were searched near the site of the prison, where their identities were verified, and were questioned about the reason for their presence. They were told afterward that they were prevented from continuing their journey and instructed to return without any given reason.
And it’s important to note that these actions, designed to suppress gatherings and protests have turned into a common practice in response to peaceful assemblies. Authorities routinely have police block all access routes to protest locations, to prevent protesters from reaching their destinations which is part of a larger strategy by the government to limit and suppress free spaces through various means.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms believes that the recent actions represent a clear violation of the right of peaceful assembly, linked to the injustice faced by Sihem Ben sedrine, which is part of a wider pattern of ongoing violations of the right to peaceful assembly, particularly in protests against the authorities.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms also highlights that the right of peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, guaranteed by the Tunisian Constitution, as stated in Article 42 “The freedom of peaceful assembly and demonstration”. It is also a right protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in Article 20, which asserts that “Everyone has the right to peaceful assembly and association.“ Additionally, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights recognizes and upholds this right. Furthermore, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights affirms and protects this right.
The Association also condemns the way the Tunisian government handles protests and peaceful gatherings, using unnecessary bans and harsh methods, as there is no valid reason for authorities to stop citizens from protesting or gathering.
It calls for stronger protection of the right of peaceful assembly, which has been repeatedly violated in recent years.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms urges the Tunisian authorities to respect their Constitutional obligations and protect citizens’ basic rights, the right of peaceful assembly above all. It also stresses that using repression and unjustified bans simply aggravates the political and social crisis and threatens the rule of law.
The Association calls on all civil society organizations, human rights activists, political parties, and other active organizations to oppose violations and protect public freedoms as a vital democratic right that should not be given up.
It also emphasizes that the right to peaceful protest is not a privilege from the authorities, but a basic right for every citizen, and no excuse can justify violating it.