Tunisia sees a return of ‘self-censorship’ as fear mounts amid arrests
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The recent arrests of two lawyers and two journalists in Tunisia for criticising the country’s state of affairs have heightened concerns about political and individual freedoms. Since President Kais Saied expanded his powers in 2021, he has signed a decree criminalising the “spreading of false news,” a measure that journalists and opposition figures argue is being used to suppress dissent.
Elected in 2019, Saied expanded his powers in July 2021 by dissolving the elected parliament and ruling by decree. Since then, he has steadily tightened control, taking over the judiciary in June 2022 and suppressing dissent and opposition.
By February 2023, numerous political, activist, and media figures critical of his regime had been arrested on charges of “plotting against state security.” Over 60 individuals have reportedly faced prosecution under Decree 54 since its introduction, according to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists.
The European Union expressed alarm earlier this week over the recent wave of arrests targeting civil society members in Tunisia.
“We are closely monitoring developments, particularly the arrests of journalists, political figures, and civil society members,” an EU spokeswoman said. “Freedom of expression, association, and judicial independence are enshrined in the Tunisian Constitution and form the foundation of our partnership.”
