Summary:

Bilel Habheb is a student activist who was arrested and harassed based on his activism and support for the palestinian cause.

Personal Information: 

Name: Bilel Habheb

Nationality: Tunisian

Occupation: student and member of the General Union of Students of Tunisia and the Union of Communist Youth of Tunisia.

Violation Incidents: 

On May 8, 2025, during a solo protest, student Bilel Habheb wrote on one of the walls that belong to the supermarket “Carrefour”, which resulted in him being assaulted and later on arrested.

As a matter of fact, the victim of violation stated that he was forcibly grabbed by the security guards, thrown to the ground and had his face pressed against the pavement, where he remained until the police arrived. 

He also added that it was raining that day, leaving his clothes completely soaked.

When the police forces arrived, they attempted to handcuff him by force, and Bilel explained and assured them that there was no need for handcuffs as he would comply and get into the car voluntarily. Despite this, they ignored him, pushed him roughly, shouted while insulting him, and forced him into the police car with his hands cuffed.

Around 9 in the morning, he was taken to the National Security Center of Slimen Riyadh, where he was also insulted by some police officers while remaining handcuffed during that time.

The victim of violation also recounted that one of the officers approached, forcefully kicked the chair with his foot, and shouted at his colleagues, questioning why he had been left alone without any guards. He also said that both he and his backpack were searched. According to Bilal, the officers found a book on Marxist thought and began questioning him insistently about whether he was a communist or supported communist ideas. They asked him to unlock his laptop and phone. He answered by stating that the laptop was open and had no password but refused to unlock his phone. They later claimed the laptop was protected by passwords and asked for access, which he declined, explaining the files were personal and mostly messages with his siblings, and they responded by saying they could unlock it themselves. 

By midday, Habheb was taken to one of the offices at the station, where the accompanying officer began questioning him again in the hallway, repeating earlier questions about his activities. 

Inside, he found two men waiting and told them he was too exhausted to continue the interrogation and that they already had all the information.

Despite this, one of them slapped him hard enough to draw blood from his mouth while insulting him , while the other officer hit him on the leg for sitting with his legs crossed and ordered him to sit properly. They resumed with the questions, focusing on why he refused to give the password to his phone, Bilel eventually gave his statement and signed the report and was then taken, still handcuffed, to the waiting room. While staying there, he received a call from a friend and informed him of his detention, and the friend later on contacted a lawyer.

Subsequently, Bilel reported that the head of the station informed him verbally that they had permission from the public prosecutor to access his phone, although no official document was provided. He agreed to unlock the device, which they examined before closing it again.

Around 4 in the evening the legal representative of “Carrefour” arrived along with the security guard who accused Bilel of assault and filed a complaint and then was requested to appear before the public prosecutor on May 9, 2025. 

The following day, Bilel appeared before the prosecutor, along with the security guard, who eventually withdrew the complaint. After the hearing, Bilal received a notice for a court session scheduled to June 10, 2025.

Human Rights violations: 

Bilel’s arrest stems from his exercise of his right of freedom of expression and opinion, in additon, what he has faced represents  a blatant violation of his rights, and it contradicts with the content of article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that declares that “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.”

In addition to that, what has occured, represents a violation of his right of freedom of expression and opinion, that’s safeguarded under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

Bilel Habheb was subjected to violence and the treatement he has endured goes against the local laws that are meant to protect people in detention, as well as it also conflicts with Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which both ban cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Also, Bilel’s detention by security staff has no legal justification to it. 

While in the police station, Habheb continued to face human rights violations. He was treated badly, insulted, and physically abused. He was also pressured to unlock his phone and personal computer, which violated his right to privacy, especially since he said the files were personal.

Checking someone’s electronic devices must follow legal procedures that require a court order, and should be limited to the investigation of the charges against them, and this act goes against Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that no one should face unfair interference in their private life or communication. It also breaks Article 30 of the 2022 Tunisian Constitution, which declares that the state must protect private life, the home, and the secrecy of communications and personal data.

This right is also protected by Organic Law No. 63 of 2004 on personal data protection, which says everyone has the right to protect their personal data, and that this data must be handled transparently and with respect for human dignity.

Bilel was also questioned repeatedly and pressured to give information unrelated to his arrest, such as his political views. This violates his right to a fair trial and raises concerns that he may have been discriminated against because of his political activity.