CIVICUS speaks with Khabir Moncef, executive director of the Association for the Defence of Human Rights, about the conviction of Tunisian anti-racist activist Saadia Mosbah and the government’s growing repression of civil society.

In March, Mosbah, founder of the anti-racist association Mnemty and defender of the rights of sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia, was handed a heavy prison sentence. The verdict illustrates the government’s intensifying repression of civic space since President Kais Saied granted himself close to unchecked powers in 2021. Authorities are increasingly criminalising organisations that work with migrants as part of the crackdown.

Why was Mosbah convicted?

Mosbah is the president of Mnemty, a Tunisian association that fights against racism and other forms of discrimination. She notably contributed to the adoption, in 2018, of a pioneering law against racial discrimination.

On 19 March, a court sentenced her to eight years in prison for illicit enrichment and money laundering. The charges were part of a wider campaign to stigmatise human rights organisations. Since 2023, Tunisia has become a transit country for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa seeking to reach the Italian coast. Agreements reached with Italy and the European Union (EU) to limit migration flows have exacerbated this situation. Against this backdrop, some organisations are being accused of facilitating the settlement of migrants and undermining national security, leading to increasing criminalisation of their work.

What does this case reveal about the state of civic space in Tunisia?

Mosbah’s case reflects a key trend of severe restriction of civic space in Tunisia.

Several activists and organisations face legal proceedings and convictions because of their opinions or involvement in civil society. Some organisations have also been targeted by smear campaigns, particularly on live TV, because of their work to support human rights.

Faced with this pressure, many organisations and human rights defenders have scaled back their activities or shifted their focus to less sensitive areas, such as the environment. Others have adopted positions aligned with official discourse to avoid any confrontation with the authorities. Only a few human rights organisations continue to be fully committed, knowing they risk prosecution and imprisonment. Some have been forced to close their offices.

What are conditions for migrants in Tunisia?

Since 2023, the number of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in Tunisia has been steadily increasing. Tighter controls on maritime borders have severely restricted their passage to Europe, forcing them to settle temporarily in the country.

Their living conditions are a cause for concern. The authorities have no clear strategy to address this, and the criminalisation of acts of assistance and solidarity has considerably reduced civil society’s role. Joint action by civil society and the state is needed to find tangible solutions that respect the dignity and fundamental rights of migrants.

What support does civil society need?

In addition to civic space restrictions, most organisations face significant funding difficulties. They need guaranteed access to external resources, without which they cannot ensure the continuity of their activities or the maintenance of their offices. Yet the state closely monitors their bank accounts and funding channels. Legal assistance has therefore become essential to enable them to continue their work in a safer environment.

Despite these persistent threats, commitment to human rights endures. These values are worth defending, even when it involves taking risks and requires courage.

CIVICUS interviews a wide range of civil society activists, experts and leaders to gather diverse perspectives on civil society action and current issues for publication on its CIVICUS Lens platform. The views expressed in interviews are the interviewees’ and do not necessarily reflect those of CIVICUS. Publication does not imply endorsement of interviewees or the organisations they represent.