The Tunisian government is ramping up pressure on opposition figures, journalists and civil society — raising fresh fears of deepening repression and the steady dismantling of democracy.
Human rights in Tunisia are a growing case for concern. On Tuesday, courts upheld the sentencing of two prominent Tunisian journalists accused of financial crimes. But media rights group say the ruling was a case of "judicial harassment," and argued that the charges leveled lacked evidence.
Prior to the hearing, Amnesty International sounded the alarm, accusing Tunisian authorities of intensifying their pressure on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and using legal means to disband such groups. NGO that advocate for human rights, migrant protection, election monitoring and against corruption are most affected.
"Dozens of NGOs run the risk of being dissolved, while others are being prosecuted," Safia Rayan of Amnesty International told DW. "The crackdown on civil society and independent media outlets is intensifying and threatening their existence."
Last week, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called on Tunisia to end its repression of opposition members and civil society groups. Speaking in Geneva, Türk said human rights activists were being criminalized.
