On 2 February, a Tunis appeals court upheld or revised the sentences of more than 20 opposition figures, imposing prison ranging from three to 35 years. Among those affected was Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi, whose sentence was raised from 14 to 20 years. Opposition parties and human rights organizations criticized the ruling, arguing that the proceedings were marred by fair trial violations, including the use of remote hearings that limited defendants' communication with legal counsel and the prosecution's reliance on anonymous witness testimony. Observers also argued that the case reflected the continued use of the judiciary to target political opponents. On 15 February, authorities further intensified pressure on the opposition by detaining Olfa Hamdi, leader of the Third Republic party and a prominent government critic.

Sources: Amnesty International, Reuters

In October, environmental protests erupted in the southern city of Gabès after a spike in respiratory illnesses and poisoning was linked to toxic emissions from the state-owned company Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT). On 11 October, thousands of residents marched through the city, demanding the closure of the chemical complex, which protestors held responsible for decades of contamination in the Gulf of Gabès. The demonstration started peacefully but turned tense when police blocked access to the industrial zone, leading to clashes, tear gas and several injuries. As public outrage spread, trade unions and civil society groups organized a general strike on 21 October, which largely paralysed the region of Gabès, followed by a solidarity march in Tunis on 25 October, marking the events as one of the largest environmental mobilizations in recent years.

Sources: Al Jazeera, The New Arab, Jeune Afrique, Nawaat

In late October, authorities suspended several major civil society organizations for 30 days, citing administrative or financial irregularities. On 24 October, the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD) was suspended for one month, forcing the closure of its counselling centres for women survivors of gender-based violence, followed shortly by the suspension of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES). In early November, the Tunis office of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the independent media platform, Nawaat, were similarly ordered to halt activities. The 30-day suspensions could be prolonged or repeated, threatening press freedom and further restricting civic space. Rights groups have regarded the measures as part of a broader crackdown on civil society, noting reports of arbitrary enforcement, including instances where several organizations did not receive prior warnings about alleged irregularities or guidance on how to rectify them.

Sources: Associated Press, International Federation of Journalists, International Federation for Human Rights, The New Arab, Business News, Amnesty International

In August, the government dissolved the National Authority for Access to Information (INAI), an independent body established in 2016 to ensure citizens and journalists could access official information. Civil society organizations have warned that its closure will significantly diminish transparency and hinder public oversight of government actions, as the agency had served as a key channel for requesting and obtaining official data and government reports. Composed of nine members, INAI also provided expert opinions on draft legislation related to access to information.

Sources: The New Arab, Le Monde, L’Économiste Maghrébin, Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy

On 11 August, Prime Minister Sara Zaafarani issued a directive ending ‘trade union leave’, a practice that allowed public employees to take a temporary leave of absence to work full-time for trade unions while continuing to receive their government salaries. The rule, applicable to all unions, will largely impact the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the country’s largest, by reducing its staff and organizational capacity, with the move coming amid rising tensions between the government and the UGTT. On 7 August, supporters of President Saied had rallied outside UGTT headquarters in response to a previous nationwide transport strike organized by the union on 30-31 July and 1 August. They called for the union’s dissolution, while UGTT members held counter-demonstrations. On 21 August, the UGTT also organized a large protest in Tunis to oppose restrictions on civic freedoms, and denouncing a decline in union rights.

Sources: Agence Tunis Afrique Press, Al Jazeera, The New Arab, International Trade Union Confederation

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 

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