The Committee to Protect Journalists joined partner organizations on Thursday to call for an end to the unjust imprisonment of journalists and other human rights defenders in Tunisia.
In a joint statement to Tunisian authorities, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), along with CPJ, and 45 other organizations denounced Tunisia’s ongoing crackdown on freedom of press, including the use of flawed and irregular proceedings to sentence those who criticize government policies, human rights violations, and corruption.
Since President Kais Saied’s power grab in 2021, Tunisia’s press freedom has consistently deteriorated, with three journalists currently behind bars, Zied el-Heni, Mourad Zghidi, and Borhen Bsaies.
Among those recently sentenced are political commentator Sonia Dahmani, as well as journalists Haythem el-Mekki and Khaoula Boukrim, both sentenced in absentia.
For years, the government has flagrantly weaponized Decree Law 54, a cybercrime law introduced by President Saied in 2022, that makes it illegal “to produce, spread, disseminate, send or write false news with the aim of infringing on the rights of others, harming public safety or national defense or sowing terror among the population.” This law has effectively criminalised everyday journalism.
The letter also notes that these journalists are being prosecuted during a severe heatwave, making it dangerous for detainees who are being transported in windowless prison vans, handcuffed, and without water for extended periods of time.
Read the full statement in English and in Arabic.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
CPJ Staff | Radio Free (2026-07-31T07:31:42+00:00) CPJ, partners urge Tunisia to end unjust imprisonment of journalists. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2026/07/31/cpj-partners-urge-tunisia-to-end-unjust-imprisonment-of-journalists/
Please log in to upload a file.
There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.