Protect Humanitarians, an international NGO advocating for better protection of humanitarian workers, has launched a petition calling for the release of Saâdia Mosbah, a 67-year-old Tunisian human rights activist. Mosbah, president of the association Mnemty, has been in prison for 900 days for her humanitarian engagement. Her organization, founded in 2013, aimed to combat racial discrimination in Tunisia and contributed to the adoption of a historic law in 2018.
Mosbah was arrested on May 7, 2024, and prosecuted on charges of money laundering linked to the financing of her NGO. In June 2026, she was sentenced on appeal to eight years in prison and a fine of over 120,000 Tunisian dinars. Her defense team denounced the verdict as unfair and arbitrary. Along with Mosbah, eight other members of her association, including her son Farès Gueblaoui, received prison sentences ranging from one to three years and fines between 15,000 and 65,000 Tunisian dinars.
The petition by Protect Humanitarians emphasizes that Mosbah's voice should not be silenced and that she should not be forgotten. Several international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Front Line Defenders, and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), have condemned Mosbah's detention and conviction as arbitrary. These organizations, along with others like Human Rights Watch and Civicus, have expressed concerns that her prosecution is part of a broader crackdown on migrants, civil society, and human rights defenders in Tunisia.
Mosbah's association, Mnemty, or "My Dream," focused on combating racial discrimination in Tunisia. The organization played a significant role in advocating for a law that would penalize racial discrimination, which was eventually adopted in 2018. This law marked a significant milestone in Tunisia's efforts to address racial issues. Mosbah's work has been widely recognized, and her imprisonment has sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups.
The international community has rallied around Mosbah, with many organizations calling for her release. Protect Humanitarians' petition is part of a broader effort to draw attention to Mosbah's case and to pressure Tunisian authorities to reconsider her sentence. Human rights defenders and organizations have argued that Mosbah's imprisonment is a setback for human rights and civil society in Tunisia.
Mosbah's case has also highlighted the challenges faced by human rights defenders in Tunisia. Despite progress in recent years, the country still grapples with issues related to racial discrimination and the protection of human rights. The case of Saâdia Mosbah and her association has underscored the importance of continued advocacy and support for human rights work in Tunisia.
As the petition by Protect Humanitarians continues to gain traction, it remains to be seen how Tunisian authorities will respond to the growing calls for Mosbah's release. Her imprisonment has sparked a significant outcry, and many hope that her case will lead to greater awareness and action on behalf of human rights defenders in Tunisia.
Key points
- Saâdia Mosbah was sentenced to 8 years in prison for her humanitarian work in Tunisia.
- Protect Humanitarians has launched a petition calling for Mosbah's release, citing her arbitrary detention and unfair sentence.
- Mosbah's case has been condemned by several international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
