The article discusses how the Tunisian government has been attacking civil society groups since 2024, effectively closing down the active civic space that had developed after the 2011 revolution. Civil society organizations are important because they help hold the government accountable, provide essential services, and advocate for human rights. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, the government has used various tactics to suppress these groups, including arbitrary arrests, legal prosecutions, and financial investigations. Many workers from organizations that assist refugees and fight discrimination have been arrested, and some have faced long detentions without proper legal justification. The article highlights specific cases, such as the sentencing of a well-known human rights defender to eight years in prison based on questionable charges. Several organizations have had their activities halted due to government investigations and suspensions, often without following legal procedures. The government has also restricted the operations of these groups by controlling their funding and access to banking services. New laws are being proposed that would give the government even more power over civil society organizations, threatening their independence. Human Rights Watch calls for the Tunisian authorities to stop their crackdown, release detained activists, and allow civil society to operate freely. It urges the international community to pressure Tunisia to uphold human rights and protect civic space. The article emphasizes that dismantling civil society will leave no one to hold the government accountable.
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