At a joint press conference, ten local rights groups declared that the Tunisian government is endangering their liberties and using the police and courts to punish its opponents.

During the meeting in Tunis, the human rights organizations called for a unified front against what they described as an unprecedented assault on freedoms. This announcement coincided with the 47th anniversary of the founding of the Tunisian Human Rights League.

Officials from the organizations stated that under President Kais Saied’s administration, the judiciary is being used to target dissidents. They emphasized their refusal to accept any loss of freedom of expression, free political action, and the rights to form unions and associations.

This month, ten people, including journalists, attorneys, activists, and representatives of civil society organizations, were detained by the police.

In the midst of ongoing protests against the government, Tunisian police raided the offices of a legal association, including the Lawyers’ House, a branch of the nation’s legal union in Tunis. The police arrested Sonia Dahmani, a prominent lawyer and radio show commentator, and subsequently conducted another raid to arrest lawyer Mahdi Zagrouba.

The recent raids on the headquarters of the Bar Association in Tunisia’s capital have led to lawyers initiating a nationwide general strike. Condemnation has poured in from various quarters, with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) criticizing the Tunisian authorities for their actions of intimidation and harassment against lawyers. Amnesty International labeled the recent arrests as “severe repression.” Despite these accusations, Tunisian authorities have vehemently denied exerting pressure on opponents and activists. (ILKHA)