Tunisia - February 2023

The Tunisian authorities carried out a security crackdown over the month of February that included raids and detentions of prominent opposition politicians, activists, judges, media figures, labor union and business leaders. An estimated 20 individuals linked to criticism or efforts to mobilize demonstrations against the president were arrested by the police and several remain in anti-terrorism detention centers. President Kais Saied has denounced the detainees as ‘terrorists’ and ‘traitors’ accused of alleged ‘conspiracy against internal and external state security.’ Tunisia’s police, Ministry of Interior and Justice Ministry have not provided any comment on the wave of arrests this month, which represent the largest opposition crackdown in recent years. Despite increasing repression in other areas, many media outlets have been able to continue to criticize the government freely.

Sources: Reuters, North Africa Post, Human Rights Watch , Al Jazeera, Arab News