TUNISIA: MASS CONVICTIONS OF OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS

Your Excellency,

I write to express my grave concern following the unjust sentencing of 37 individuals to harsh prison sentences of up to 74 years following a sham trial on bogus charges of “conspiracy” in relation to their legitimate political activities or affiliations.

Among the 37 individuals sentenced six opposition political figures – Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, Khayyam Turki, Issam Chebbi, Ghazi Chaouachi, Ridha Belhaj, and Abdelhamid Jelassi – and businessman, Kamel Ltaief, have been in arbitrary detention since their arrest in February 2023. The rest of the defendants have also been sentenced, including several individuals already detained in relation to other politically motivated cases — such as senior opposition figures, Noureddine Bhiri, Sahbi Atig, and Said Ferjani from the former ruling Nahdha party. The case also targets prominent human rights activists, Ayachi Hammami and Bochra Bel Haj Hmida, as well as businessmen and private media shareholders who were convicted and sentenced but remain free or in exile.

Their trial was marred by egregious fair trial violations, including the physical absence of defendants in the courtroom.

I therefore urge you to quash the unjust convictions and sentences of all defendants and to immediately and unconditionally release those who are detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights. Finally, I urge you to cease the politically motivated prosecutions of critics, political opponents, human rights defenders, and activists.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]