Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a strong appeal to Tunisia’s judiciary to overturn the convictions of 37 individuals accused of conspiring to destabilize the nation. The case, widely referred to as the ‘Conspiracy Against State Security,’ is set for a hearing at the Tunis Court of Appeals on Monday. HRW has condemned the proceedings as part of a broader ‘crackdown on dissent’ in the country. In a statement released on Friday, HRW revealed that it had reviewed court documents and found the charges to be baseless, lacking credible evidence. The organization urged the court to reverse the convictions and release all detainees. Bassam Khawaja, HRW’s deputy Middle East and North Africa director, criticized the case as a ‘masquerade,’ highlighting the absence of fair trial guarantees and calling for an end to the ‘judicial farce.’ The defendants, including activists, lawyers, political opponents, and researchers, were sentenced in April to prison terms ranging from four to 66 years. HRW has pointed out numerous irregularities in the case, such as convictions after only three hearings, sentencing in absentia, and inadequate notice of appeal hearings. Some defendants, including opposition leader Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, have initiated hunger strikes to protest their conditions and alleged mistreatment. Ben Mbarek’s lawyer and sister, Dalila Ben Mbarek Msaddek, has raised concerns about his health and reported physical abuse in prison. Other opposition figures, including Rached Ghannouchi, have joined the hunger strike. HRW has noted a significant escalation in the suppression of dissent since President Kais Saied assumed control of state institutions in July 2021. Arbitrary arrests and detentions have surged, undermining judicial independence and fair trial rights. Experts have highlighted violations such as the use of videoconferencing for trials, prolonged pretrial detentions, and retaliation against defense lawyers. HRW has called on Tunisia’s international partners to condemn these injustices and pressure authorities to ensure fair trials and uphold the rule of law.
Human Rights Watch calls for overturning ‘politically motivated’ convictions in Tunisia
