The Committee for the Respect of Liberties and Human Rights in Tunisia (CRLDHT) has expressed its strong condemnation of a wave of arrests that took place on September 20-21, targeting participants in a peaceful march held in Tunis on September 19 in support of four detained activists. The activists, Wael Naouar, Ghassen El Henchiri, Ghassen Boughdiri, and Nabil Chennoufi, have been on a hunger strike for nearly two weeks, with Wael Naouar having started his strike over a month ago.
According to the CRLDHT, the arrests were conducted at night, both at homes and on the streets, with a disproportionate show of force. The committee reported that several people arrested were denied contact with their families or lawyers for extended periods, with some being prevented from receiving visits or being informed of their whereabouts. This situation has been likened to short-term enforced disappearances. The arrests also reportedly involved minors and, in one case, an entire family.
The CRLDHT emphasized that the right to expression, assembly, and peaceful demonstration is a fundamental right that should not, in itself, justify arrest or prosecution. The committee highlighted the risk of security and judicial treatment of peaceful mobilizations replacing political and social dialogue. They also expressed concern over the erosion of trust in the independence of the judiciary due to the broadening of prosecutions to include simple participants in gatherings.
The committee noted that the Tunisian authorities have progressively restricted freedoms, including press freedom, freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of creation, and freedom of association. The CRLDHT stated that the authorities are now directly targeting the freedom to peacefully demonstrate, which is the last remaining space for collective expression. They stressed that manifesting peacefully is a right, not a crime, and that repression should not become a mode of governance.
The CRLDHT demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested demonstrators and the dropping of charges against them. They also called on the authorities to immediately cease restrictions on the right to demonstrate and assemble peacefully. Furthermore, the committee urged the authorities to fully respect the presumption of innocence and defense guarantees for all pursued individuals.
The four detained activists have been in custody since March 6, 2026. Their detention was recently extended by four months, despite growing concerns about their health. The CRLDHT's condemnation of the arrests highlights the ongoing tensions between the Tunisian authorities and human rights groups over issues of freedom and repression.
The situation in Tunisia has raised concerns among human rights organizations, with the CRLDHT warning of a broader crackdown on civil liberties. The committee's statement concluded by emphasizing the importance of upholding fundamental rights and freedoms in Tunisia.
Key points
- The CRLDHT condemned the arrests of participants in a peaceful protest in support of four detained activists in Tunisia.
- The arrests were conducted at night, with a disproportionate show of force, and involved minors and families.
- The CRLDHT demanded the immediate release of all arrested demonstrators and an end to restrictions on peaceful demonstrations.
