Amnesty Demands Release of Tunisian Activists on Appeal
Amnesty calls for overturning convictions and release of Saadia Mosbah and colleagues.
Why it matters: Amnesty's call and the upcoming appeal highlight Tunisia's crackdown on civil society and the risks to free speech and human rights advocacy under authoritarian pressure.
- Saadia Mosbah was sentenced to 8 years and fined over 120,000 Tunisian Dinars (~€36,000) on March 19, 2026.
- Five Mnemty members received 1-3 year prison sentences on charges including money laundering.
- Mosbah spent 22 months in pretrial detention, exceeding Tunisia's 14-month legal limit.
- Amnesty and human rights groups say this crackdown targets civil society, with 25 organizations facing suspensions in the past year.
On March 19, 2026, Saadia Mosbah, president of the anti-racist group Mnemty, was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined more than 120,000 Tunisian Dinars (about €36,000). Five other members received prison terms ranging from one to three years on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment.
Mosbah's detention began in May 2024, and she was held in pretrial detention for approximately 22 months—exceeding Tunisia's legal limit of 14 months. During detention, Mosbah reported experiencing racial discrimination and physical assault by a prison guard.
The appeal hearing is slated for June 19, 2026, at the Tunis Court of Appeal. Amnesty International has called on the Tunisian appellate court to overturn the convictions and to release Mosbah and her colleagues immediately and unconditionally.
This prosecution comes amid a broader government crackdown on civil society organizations. At least 25 groups, many fighting for human rights, have faced suspension orders over the past year, signaling a political effort to restrict civic space. "We denounce the increasing criminalization of human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and humanitarian actors in Tunisia," Amnesty said.
Bassem Trifi, president of the Tunisian League for Human Rights, described the suspension decisions as political maneuvers disguised as judicial rulings aimed at curtailing independent human rights work in Tunisia.
The case of Saadia Mosbah underscores the rising tensions between Tunisia's current administration and civil rights advocates, raising international concern over freedom of expression and the rule of law.
By the numbers:
- 8 years — prison sentence for Saadia Mosbah
- 22 months — Mosbah's pretrial detention duration, exceeding Tunisia's 14-month limit
- 25 organizations — facing suspension orders amid crackdown
What's next: The Tunis Court of Appeal will hear the appeal on June 19, 2026, potentially affecting the fate of Saadia Mosbah and other activists.