In its annual report on human rights violations in Tunisia, the association Intersection for Rights and Freedoms underlines that the year 2023 was marked by a large number of trials against various categories of Tunisians, notably journalists, politicians, human rights defenders, and trade unionists.
During a press conference at the headquarters of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Tuesday February 27, 2024, members of the association took stock of human rights violations between January and December 2023, pointing to an increased number of arrests and trials of human rights activists, trade unionists, political opponents, journalists and bloggers.
In its report, the association mentions in particular the extension of the period of detention of political activists accused of “conspiracy against state security”, the appearance before the court of journalists under Decree-Law 54 of September 13 2022 relating to the fight against crimes linked to information and communication systems, as well as based on the law against terrorism and money laundering.
The report also cites the arrest of Abir Moussi, president of the Free Destourian Party (PDL), at the entrance to the Palace of Carthage on October 3, 2023, when she had come to appeal the decisions of the presidency of the republic concerning the election of local councilors.
The Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms recorded 115 human rights violations in 2023, including 19 cases of prosecution under Decree Law 54, targeting 4 journalists, 7 lawyers, 2 civil society activists, and 3 other sectors.
According to the report, the press is the most targeted sector, with the Journalists’ Union recording 237 violations between January and October 2023.
Founded in 2020, the Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms is an independent civil society organization working on human rights issues.
It works to strengthen the concepts of human rights, democracy, and freedoms and to promote practices that respect these values.
