Among those recently targeted 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, 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.

Data from the Global Expression Report, 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.

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 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.