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SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 

IN TUNISIA, PRESIDENT KAIS SAIED’S EMBRACE OF AUTHORITARIANISM HAS
STEPPED UP IN RECENT WEEKS, CHARACTERISED BY A SYSTEMATIC CRACKDOWN ON
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND DISSENT.

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Among those recently targeted [5] were radio journalists HAYTHEM EL MEKKI
and ELYES GHARBI after they criticised the country’s security unit and
its recruitment policies. Students DHIA NASSIR AND YOUSSEF CHALBI, who
shared a song mocking the police on social media, and journalist KHALIFA
GUESMI, [4] who reported on the country’s security services, have also
faced intimidation and arrest. Guesmi and the security officer who provided
him with information were sentenced to 5 and 10 years’ imprisonment
respectively on anti-terrorism charges.

Opposition leaders, including RACHED GHANNOUCHI, ISSAM CHEBBI, and GHAZI
CHAOUACHI remain behind bars.

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Data from the Global Expression Report, [6] ARTICLE 19’s annual review of
the state of freedom of expression and the right to information around the
world, shows a worrying and continued decline in the country’s ranking.
This is particularly disturbing given the freedoms and political rights
enjoyed in the country following the popular uprising that started the Arab
Spring, and the consolidation of democratic reforms that it prompted.

‘Freedom of expression in Tunisia has seen a notable decline this year,
marked by the enforcement of restrictive measures such as Decree 54 on
cybercrime – used to target journalists, lawyers, political opponents,
and anyone who expresses critical views on social media regarding the
current authoritarian political system. This marks a stark departure from
the country's previous progress in promoting freedom of expression and
information, which had served as an inspiration following the Arab Spring
revolutions.’

SALOUA GHAZOUANI, REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA,
ARTICLE 19

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Despite these growing challenges to key rights, and an economy in freefall,
civil society in Tunisia remains resilient.

ARTICLE 19’s Middle East and North Africa [7] regional office continues
its valuable work, teaming up with partner organisations to keep President
Saied’s assaults on fundamental freedoms in the public spotlight,
including at the UN.

At the national level, our regional office rolled out popular training
programmes for journalists, the lawyers representing them, and human rights
defenders prosecuted for speaking out. Working closely with partners, the
office has expanded its efforts to ensure journalists anchor their work in
robust and ethical journalism practices, and media workers and activists
know about their rights.

Despite the devastation Saied has wreaked, Tunisia’s recent history shows
that radical change is possible. ARTICLE 19 MENA remains hopeful about the
future, in solidarity with civil society, and pushes on with its vital work
to defend freedom of expression in Tunisia and the wider region.

READ MORE ABOUT ARTICLE 19’S WORK IN TUNISIA 

LEARN MORE [3]

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