Summary :
Maryem Bellali, a student, feminist, and human rights defender, was assaulted by security forces on October 7, 2024, during a popular march in the avenue of Habib Bourguiba in the heart of the capital, held to honor the memory of the Flood of Al-Aqsa.
Personal Information:
Name: Maryem Bellali
Nationality: Tunisian
Occupation: Student and activist in civil society
Violation incidents:
On October 7, 2024, Maryem, a student, feminist, and human rights defender was among the participants in the peaceful gathering organized by the Coordination of Action for Palestine to honor the memory of October 7 and to condemn the genocide of the Palestinian people and the war on Lebanon, which was quickly affected by acts of violence and repression. Maryem found herself facing assaults following the wave of security crackdowns against several young people participating in the protest.
She was surrounded by three police officers who pushed her to the ground to disperse the protesters, grabbed by the hair and forcefully dragged by a female officer, while the others pulled her by her clothes in front of witnesses and press cameras who were covering the march.
She suffered physical assault when she was dragged and was emotionally abused by the attackers, leading to both physical and psychological harm.
Human Rights violations:
The attacks on activist Maryem Bellali represent a flagrant violation of Human Rights, in fact, her assault during a peaceful gathering constitutes a violation of her right to peaceful assembly and protest, a right guaranteed by Article 42 of the Tunisian Constitution, which states: “The freedom of peaceful assembly and demonstration is guaranteed.”
In addition, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states “The right to peaceful assembly shall be recognized. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society to protect national security or public safety, order, health, or morals, or to protect the rights and freedoms of others.”
Moreover, the assault of protesters, especially the attack that occurred against the victim constitutes a serious violation of her bodily integrity. Which is a fundamental Human Right guaranteed by Article 25 of the 2022 Tunisian Constitution, that declares: “The state protects the dignity of the person and the integrity of the body and prohibits both psychological and physical torture.” This right is also affirmed in Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which states “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”
In addition, the violence Maryem faced that’s based on gender, is criminalized by the Organic Law No. 58 of 2017, dated August 11, 2017, on the elimination of violence against women, which defines such violence as “any physical, moral, sexual, or economic assault against a woman based on gender discrimination that results in harm, pain, or physical, psychological, sexual, or economic damage to the woman, also includes threats of such assault and deprivation of Rights and Freedoms, whether in public or private life.” According to this article, a two-year prison sentence and a fine of two thousand dinars apply if the perpetrator holds authority over the victim or abuses their position of power.