Tunisia - August 2022
New constitution passed with high support but low voter turnout
The final results of 25 July constitutional referendum that would grant unchecked powers to the office of Tunisia’s President Kaïs Saïed showed 94.6 per cent of votes in favor, with a low turnout of 30.5 per cent. Tunisia’s opposition politicians and human rights groups have warned of a return to dictatorship under the new constitution.
Sources: AfricaNews, North Africa Journal
Journalist jailed by military court
A Tunisian military court sentenced journalist Salah Attia to three months in prison for public remarks he made about President Kaïs Saïed and the armed forces. Attia is the latest in a string of critics and perceived enemies of the President to face prosecution since Saïed claimed sweeping emergency powers in July last year. Human rights organizations have condemned the action and called the trial a "travesty of justice".
Sources: Middle East Eye, Committee to Protect Journalists, Amnesty International
Rights
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Police unions clash with President's plan to unify security forces
Tunisian police unions entered into conflict with President Kaïs Saïed after rejecting his call to establish a unified union structure under the name "Tunisian Union of General Internal Security Forces". President Saïed has been systematically targeting the unions, the only organized mass movement after Ennahda. Human rights organizations in Tunisia are increasingly concerned about the police unions’ encroachment on politics.
Sources: ArabNews, Middle East Eye, Al Monitor, Reuters
Rights
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Participation
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Conflict between judiciary and President Kaïs Saïed intensifies
Tunisia’s judicial authorities revoked the sacking by President Kaïs Saïed of almost 50 judges. A presidential decree on 1 June saw Saied fire 57 judges, after accusing many of corruption and other crimes. His move, which rights groups called “a deep blow to judicial independence”, sparked a nationwide strike by judges. Fifty-three of those sacked had lodged appeals with the administrative court against Saïed’s move. A total of 46 judges’ sackings have been revoked, and the appeals of seven others were rejected. Two more were awaiting a decision, while a further two had not appealed.
Sources: Anadolu Agency, Africa News, The Arab Weekly, Amnesty International
Rule of Law
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