Tunisia human rights: Tunisian League for Human Rights suspended for one month amid civil society concerns

Tunisian authorities ordered a one-month suspension of the Tunisian League for Human Rights. The decision raised fresh worries about tighter limits on civil society. The league is one of Africa’s oldest rights groups. It also belongs to the National Dialogue Quartet, which received the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize.

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The league confirmed the suspension in a statement issued late Friday. It said the move harmed a major democratic gain in Tunisia. The group also warned that the order violated freedom of association. The league said the step formed part of wider pressure on civil society.

Tunisian League for Human Rights says suspension is arbitrary

The league said, "This measure cannot be seen in isolation from a broader context in the country marked by increasing systematic pressure on civil society and independent voices,\" and promised a legal challenge. It said it would contest what it called an unjust decision in court. It also said it would keep defending victims of rights violations without discrimination.

President Kais Saied has often linked foreign funding to national security threats. Rights groups sometimes depend on overseas support for operations. Saied has used the issue to build a populist message. Saied has also accused political opponents and social justice activists of acting as foreign agents.

Tunisian League for Human Rights suspension follows earlier NGO orders

The suspension followed similar court orders against other groups in Tunisia. Courts last year told several well-known NGOs to pause work for a month. Some of those groups focused on migrants. Others worked on women’s rights. The new order added to concerns about a broader pattern.

The decision also came as journalist Zied El-Heni was held for 48 hours. The detention related to a Facebook post, according to reports. The case fitted a wider trend of arrests and legal pressure. Critics said such actions were aimed at dissenting voices.

Tunisian League for Human Rights case amid speech-related detentions

Mohamed Yassine Jlassi, a former SNJT president, spoke to The Associated Press in Tunis. Jlassi spoke on the sidelines of a protest on Friday. Jlassi said hundreds were held for speech-related charges. Jlassi said many cases involved social media posts.

Jlassi said, \"Repression has come to affect everyone. Journalism has become a crime, civil society work has become a crime, political opposition has been criminalized,\" and warned about legal safeguards. Jlassi added, \"People now increasingly find themselves facing arbitrary prosecutions without the bare minimum guarantees of a fair trial.\"

Tunisian League for Human Rights concerns grow as Inkyfada faces hearing

Separate legal action also targeted the investigative outlet Inkyfada. A court hearing was set for May 11. Authorities were pursuing the dissolution of Al Khatt, the association behind it. Inkyfada said it challenged the legal grounds. It said the government’s claims were not reviewed by Tunisian courts since 2024.

Rights advocates said the recent cases deepened concerns about shrinking civic space. Saied has consolidated power since 2021, according to critics and observers. Saied has also repeatedly accused groups of taking foreign funding to stir unrest. The suspension order and other cases kept attention on limits on media and civil society.

With inputs from PTI