Tunisian courts sentenced high-profile opposition to prison, sparking global outcry
- Human Rights Research Center
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
April 21, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns the Tunisian authorities' use of sham trials and harsh sentences to silence peaceful dissent. This gross miscarriage of justice marks a dangerous erosion of human rights and the rule of law.
A Tunisian court sentenced 40 people, including high-profile opposition figures, human rights defenders, lawyers, and businesspeople, to prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years in an unprecedented mass trial, causing widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations and legal experts. The accusations focused on claims of "conspiracy against state security" and "belonging to a terrorist group," which opponents believe are politically motivated and lack credible evidence.
Among those sentenced are members of the National Salvation Front coalition, including Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, Issam Chebbi, and Ghazi Chaouachi, as well as opposition figures from the Ennahdha party such as Abdelhamid Jelassi and Noureddine Bhiri. Several defendants, including feminist activist Bochra Belhaj Hmida and French intellectual Bernard Henri-Levy, were convicted in absentia. Businessman Kamel Eltaief received the heaviest penalty of 66 years.
The trial began on March 4, 2025, and was plagued by significant legal mistakes. Defendants were denied the right to appear in court, and several went on hunger strike in protest. Media, civil society observers, and foreign diplomats were excluded from attending meetings, sparking more condemnation from rights organizations.
Legal experts and human rights groups condemned the proceedings as a "masquerade" and a "judicial assassination," claiming that the trial violated fundamental due process. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have criticized Tunisian authorities for using the judiciary to silence criticism.
President Kais Saied, who took office in 2021 by dismissing parliament and reigning by decree, has presided over a degradation of Tunisia's democratic institutions. Critics claim that the trial represents an authoritarian retreat of liberties in the cradle of the Arab Spring. Defense attorneys want to appeal, but many believe justice is becoming increasingly difficult to get under the current administration.
Glossary
Appeal – A legal request for a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.
Assassination – The deliberate killing of a prominent or important person, often for political reasons.
Condemnation – The expression of strong disapproval; in legal terms, a declaration of guilt.
Conspiracy – A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.
Cradle – A place or origin or beginning; also, a small bed for a baby.
Credible – Believable or trustworthy; capable of being believed.
Decree – An official order issued by a legal authority.
Degradation – The process of something being worn down or made worse, often morally or in quality.
Defense attorneys – Lawyers who represent and defend individuals accused of crimes.
Dissent – The expression or holding of opinions that differ from those commonly or officially held.
Erosion – The gradual destruction or weakening of something, often used metaphorically (e.g., erosion of rights).
Gross – Extremely obvious or flagrant; also means total or whole before deductions.
Masquerade – A false show or disguise; pretending to be something one is not.
Miscarriage – In legal or justice terms, refers to a failure of justice (e.g., miscarriage of justice).
Retreat – The act of withdrawing or moving back, especially from danger or opposition.
Unprecedented – Never done or known before; without previous example or parallel.
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