![A screen-printed T-shirt with the photos of Mejid Hedhli, a contractor imprisoned for unpaid checks since 2015, and his daughter Siwar](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/media_2024/06/202406mena_tunisia_Hedhli.jpg?h=d228da7b&itok=RBGBwsQG)
Tunisia
President Kais Saied, elected in 2019, granted himself extraordinary powers in July 2021, then dissolved the Parliament and drafted a tailor-made constitution that Tunisia adopted a year later via referendum. Since his power grab, Saied largely undermined the independence of the judiciary in an effort to subjugate judges and prosecutors to the executive branch. The authorities have escalated their crackdown on political opponents and perceived critics for their peaceful activism or public criticism of the president, the security forces, or other officials. They have stepped-up arbitrary arrests, travel bans, and prosecutions, sometimes in military courts. Police occasionally used excessive force against demonstrators. Black African foreigners faced increased violence and arbitrary arrests after Saied fanned the flames of anti-immigrant violence in February 2023.
![map of Tunisia](/sites/default/files/styles/country/public/media_2020/05/hrw_Tunisia_0_worldserve-map_0_800x600.jpg?h=827069f2&itok=NeeiyqYM)
Videos
Videos-
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July 19, 2023
Tunisia: No Safe Haven for Black African Migrants, Refugees
Security Forces Abuse Migrants; EU Should Suspend Migration Control Support
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July 18, 2023
Middle East and North Africa: End Curbs on Women’s Mobility
Male Guardianship Rules Hamper Travel, Other Movement
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February 27, 2023
Tunisia: President Intensifies Attacks on Judicial Independence
Ignoring Court Order to Reinstate Fired Judges, Prosecuting Them Instead
News
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June 18, 2024
Tunisia: Joint Statement Calling for End to Crackdown
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May 17, 2024
Tunisia: Deepening Civil Society Crackdown
Authorities Target Refugee and Migrant Rights Groups, Activists and Journalists
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January 23, 2024
Meta: Protect LGBT People from Digital Targeting
New #SecureOurSocials Campaign Urges Transparency from Facebook, Instagram
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January 11, 2024
Tunisia: Authoritarian Drift Erodes Rights
Escalated Crackdown on Freedom of Expression, Peaceful Activism
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December 19, 2023
Tunisia: Cybercrime Decree Used Against Critics
First Two Prison Sentences Under Tool Used to Stifle Free Speech
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November 7, 2023
Tunisia: Reject Bill Dismantling Civil Society
Arbitrary Restrictions; Excessive Government Control
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October 10, 2023
Tunisia: African Migrants Intercepted at Sea, Expelled
Apparent Policy Shift Endangers Migrants, Asylum Seekers, Children
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September 28, 2023
EU Commission Should Stop Ignoring Tunisia’s Abuses Against Migrants
Migration Control Funding Could Perpetuate Human Rights Violations
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September 21, 2023
Migration Obsession is Killing EU’s Commitment to Human Rights
The Next Victim of the Bloc’s Migration Obsession May Well be Itself
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August 21, 2023
Tunisia: End Judicial Harassment of the President of the Tunisian Judges’ Association