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Tunisia

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

April 2025

Lower court sentences 37 in mass trial, including opposition figures

On 19 April, the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced 37 individuals, including opposition figures, activists, lawyers, and businesspeople, to prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years. They were convicted on charges of ‘conspiracy against state security’ and ‘belonging to a terrorist group.’ Authorities allege that following organised opposition actions after the 2021 declaration of a state of emergency they had plotted to overthrow the government. Among those convicted were prominent members of the National Salvation Front and the Ennahdha party. The mass trial, which began on 4 March, was according to rights groups marred by procedural irregularities, including the denial of court appearances for some defendants and the exclusion of public and diplomatic observers. Many of the accused also faced extended periods of pretrial detention, while others were tried in absentia. Human rights organizations have condemned the proceedings as a violation of due process and described the trial as a means to suppress political dissent through the judicial system. 

Sources: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, Gulf Centre for Human Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch 

Authorities dismantle informal migrant camps housing thousands

In April, authorities launched a large-scale operation to dismantle informal migrant camps in coastal and central-eastern regions, particularly affecting El Amra and Jebeniana near the port city of Sfax, known key transit points for migrants attempting to reach Europe. The operations displaced thousands, leaving many without shelter. Early in the month, security forces began raiding camps estimated to house around 20,000 people from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. By 5 April, the National Guard confirmed the dismantling of two major camps, including one that had sheltered approximately 4,000. Reports of violence surfaced during the operations, including the burning of tents and other informal structures in El Amra on 24 April. As conditions worsen, the country has seen a rise in ‘voluntary returns’ as migrants opt to return to their countries of origin. The government stated that dismantling the camps is intended to prevent migrants from dwelling on privately owned land, following protests by local residents. 

Sources: La Presse, Le Monde (1), InfoMigrants, Tunisie numerique, Le Monde (2), Africa News 

March 2025

Tunisia withdraws individuals' and NGOs' access to African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights

On 7 March, the government announced its decision to withdraw its declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which previously allowed individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to bring cases directly before the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. This move means that, starting in March 2026, individuals and NGOs will no longer have the right to file cases against the state before the Court, limiting their available avenues for seeking justice for human rights violations. The government did not provide an official rationale for this decision, which has been met with criticism from human rights and civil society groups. In recent years, the Court had ruled on several cases involving Tunisia, including a 2023 case in which it ordered provisional measures for medical care and legal representation for four detained opposition figures. The ruling, however, is yet to be implemented by the government. 

Sources: Tunisia’s Permanent Mission to the African Union, Centre pour le Respect des Libertes et des Droits de l’Homme en Tunisie, Human Rights Watch, African Court on Human and People’s Rights, Temple Garden Chambers

November 2024

Court sentences influencers for indecency under new ‘TikTok law’

In November, a court of first instance in Tunis sentenced several Tunisian social media influencers, with terms ranging from 18 months to four and a half years. They were convicted of public indecency for content posted online. These convictions followed a directive issued by the Ministry of Justice on 27 October, informally known as the ‘TikTok Law,’ which authorizes prosecutors to use existing criminal law to prosecute individuals who create or share social media content that conflicts with ‘social values.’ While authorities have said the directive is designed to limit the spread of vulgar language and explicit imagery online, critics warn its vague terms may result in it being applied more broadly and that it could further undermine freedom of expression on digital platforms. These convictions did not relate to political content.

Sources: Business News, The New Arab, Le Monde

October 2024

Saied wins second term in presidential election
Election flag

Incumbent President Kais Saied won the presidential election on 6 October, securing a second term with 90.69 per cent of the vote in the first round. He faced only two male opponents: Ayachi Zammel, the imprisoned Azimoun party leader, who received 7.35 per cent of the vote, and Zouhair Maghzaoui of the People's Movement, who garnered 1.97 per cent. The Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) barred three other candidates from running, despite a ruling from the Administrative Court that they be reinstated. The election was boycotted by several opposition parties, including the National Salvation Front coalition, driven by concerns over the absence of conditions for fair elections. While election observers noted that the election was well-organized, they raised concerns about the limited number of approved candidates, the legal framework governing ISIE, and the denial of accreditation to some local civil society observation groups. Notably, two of Tunisia's most well-established observer organizations, I Watch and Mourakiboun, were denied accreditation. Voter turnout was 28.80 per cent of registered voters, down from 48.98 per cent in the 2019 presidential election.

Sources: Independent High Authority for Elections, Al Jazeera, Human Rights Watch, RFI, Le Monde, African Union, Human Rights Watch

Voter turnout reaches historic low in presidential elections

The presidential election on 6 October saw a dramatic decline in voter turnout, with only 28.80 per cent of registered voters casting ballots. While it still surpasses the record-low 11.40 per cent seen in the 2023 parliamentary elections, this is the lowest turnout in Tunisia’s presidential history and represents a significant drop from the 48.98 per cent turnout in the first round of the 2019 election, and an even steeper decline from the 55.02 per cent turnout that was registered in the second round in 2019. Voter turnout was particularly low among the youth, with just 6 per cent casting their votes. Observers have pointed out several factors contributing to the reduced participation, such as increased presidential control over the electoral process, the repression of opposition groups, and restrictions on media and civil society. The detention of opposition figures, including presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel, alongside the limited number of candidates approved by the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), intensified public discontent. Opposition groups called for a boycott, citing concerns over the absence of conditions for fair elections.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Middle East Monitor, RFI, Independent High Authority for Elections (1), Independent High Authority for Elections (2), International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2)

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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023

Chevron
Representation
101/173
Rights
48/173
Rule of Law
94/173
Participation
94/173

Basic Information

Chevron
Population Tooltip
12 458 223
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Kamel Madouri (since 2024)
Head of government party
Independent
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Two-Round System
Women in lower or single chamber
15.7%
Women in upper chamber
13%
Last legislative election
2023
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
1.29
Head of state
President Kaïs Saïed
Selection process for head of state
Direct election (two-round majority)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
08/11/2022
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
67.84%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
Regional Treaties
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
State Party
Arab Charter on Human Rights
No Action
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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