Joint Statement
No to criminalizing protest and Freedom of expression
In recent weeks, the current political authority has intensified its use of state powers to suppress peaceful protests and target activists. As a result, civil society faces tighter restrictions with the severe limitation of political, social, and union activities.
The new prosecutions have targeted several activists who organized protests and a peaceful rally to oppose the referendum on the final draft of the constitution, which was created without an agreement. Many of them have been called in for questioning over their involvement in these protests, including Asrar Ben Jouira, Saif Ayadi, Wael Naouar, Meher El Kouki, khaoula Boukrim, Khalil Zeghidi, Nawres Douzi, Asma Moatemri, Rahma El Khenchaoui, Mohamed Yassine Jelassi.
The individuals identified were summoned for questioning by the Central Crime prevention Unit in Ben Arous, as suspects due to their involvement in the protest on July 18, 2022, on Habib Bourguiba Street.
Jamel Cherif, the Secretary General of the local union in Sbikha, along with several workers, was arrested for protesting the unfair dismissal of employees at the factory. This allowed a foreign investor to take advantage of them and deny their basic rights, consequently, the workers and union activists were referred to court, where some were detained. They are currently in provisional detention and will stand trial on November 21 at the Court of First Instance in Kairouan.
The court of Siliana is prosecuting four residents from the village of “El Bahireen”(Bargou in Siliana), including some in their seventies, for protesting the construction of a new deep well for a water company, that has monopolized water resources in the region, whereas most local springs have dried up up, leaving small farmers without sufficient water for their crops and trees, putting their livelihoods at risk.
In a shocking and disturbing turn, actions have been taken that directly contradict a long held commitment to backing the Palestinian people’s struggle for justice, in fact ,Security and judicial measures have been intensified as a consequence against activists advocating for Palestinian and Lebanese resistance, simply for using peaceful and civil methods to defend a people whose right to resist occupation is enshrined in international law and principles.
In a related matter, the Economic research team in el Gorjani, held in custody, Abdallah Said the president of the association of the children of the Moon due to his Humanitarian work and association related activity.
These legal actions are seen as part of a systematic effort to suppress peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and civil, social, and union activism as well as reflect ongoing attempts to intimidate young activists through unjust trials. Accordingly, the organizations express :
-Their condemnation of the court actions which are based on laws that impose prison sentences, laws that were used to criminalize national liberation movements during the French colonial times and later used to suppress student protests in 2008 and mining protests in 2009.
-Their calls for an end to prosecutions of political, civil, social, and union activists, the decriminalization of rights and freedoms, and the acceptance of political diversity.
-Their urgent appeal is for all democratic forces to unite against efforts to reverse gains and criminalize association, union, and political activities in Tunisia.
Organizations that signed:
-Tunisian League of Human Rights(LTDH)
-Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT)
-Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights
-Tunisian Association of the Democratic Women(ATFD)
-National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists
-UGET
-Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms
-ADLI
-The Front for Equality and Women’s Rights
-Beity Association
-Damj Association
-Tunisian Coalition Against the Death Penalty
-Nomad 08
-National Organization for Defending Rights and Freedoms
-Taqallam for Freedom of Speech and Creativity
-Lawyers without Borders(ASF)
-Amnesty International
-Tunisian Organisation Against Torture
-EuroMed Rights
-World Organisation Against Torture