CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Tunisia with a member of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), a civil society organisation (CSO) that defends human rights and combats inequalities. 

In recent months, protests have taken place in several Tunisian cities in response to worsening living conditions, civic space restrictions and the erosion of freedoms. People and CSOs are expressing their concern at the rollback of democratic gains by President Kais Saied, which began when he suspended parliament in 2021, followed by the concentration of power in his hands. Many activists, journalists, lawyers and opposition figures have been detained or forced into exile. 

What triggered the latest protests?

The latest protests have taken place against a backdrop of steadily deteriorating economic, political and social conditions. They are not the result of a single incident, but of a build-up of frustrations with deteriorating public services, inflation, precarious living conditions and unemployment. 

Growing restrictions on civil liberties and civic space since 2021 have fuelled a climate of discontent. Migration issues have also been at the heart of several recent protests, in response to security policies and violations of migrants’ rights. Our investigations document the precarious living conditions of sub-Saharan migrants in several Tunisian cities and highlight their vulnerability to administrative irregularity, exploitation, violence and a lack of effective protection. 

In marginalised regions, the protests reflect a widely shared sense of neglect. Social movements continue to make demands relating to access to work, a healthy environment and public services. 

The current protests are part of a longstanding trend. People are taking to the streets because promises of employment, regional development and social justice remain largely unfulfilled.

How is the government responding?

Generally speaking, authorities have allowed protests to take place without intervening directly. However, some protesters have been summoned for questioning and arrested. 

In October 2025, protests against pollution caused by gas leaks from the Tunisian Chemical Group’s plants in Gabès, in the south of the country, led to numerous arrests. In some cases, those arrested faced charges relating to public order or terrorism. 

On 13 August, several people, including minors, were arrested following protests against cuts to the drinking water supply in Mahdia. 

Instead of engaging in an inclusive dialogue and addressing the root causes of demands, the authorities have often portrayed protests as threats to public order or attempts to destabilise the country. This approach is part of a broader context of shrinking civic space.

What are civil society’s demands?

Civil society’s demands focus primarily on the defence of economic and social rights, including equitable access to public services and the right to work, water, a healthy environment and social justice. They also concern the protection of fundamental freedoms, particularly freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly, access to information and the independence of the judiciary. Civil society is calling for an end to the criminalisation of human rights defenders and social movements. At a march on 25 July, some protesters clearly called for President Saied to step down. 

Finally, civil society is calling for public policies to be drawn up with genuine citizen participation and to tackle the structural causes of social crises, rather than merely their symptoms.

What threats does civil society face and how is it adapting?

CSOs face administrative and financial constraints, increased surveillance and smear campaigns, as well as administrative and legal proceedings, all of which are sources of pressure and uncertainty. This climate of intimidation restricts their freedom of action and puts their staff, partners and beneficiaries at risk, particularly when they work on sensitive issues such as elections, LGBTQI+ rights and support for migrants. 

However, FTDES and other independent organisations continue to play a vital role. They document violations, carry out advocacy work, support vulnerable groups and defend fundamental rights. Despite an increasingly restrictive environment, they continue their work by engaging in community mobilisation, monitoring rights violations, publishing reports and forging national and international alliances. 

To adapt, CSOs are strengthening their internal governance, administrative and financial compliance and risk assessments for staff, stakeholders and beneficiaries. They are developing forums for consultation and joint solidarity initiatives. This risk assessment sometimes leads them to adjust their methods of intervention, such as by adapting their communication strategies, postponing or cancelling activities and strengthening protective measures. These choices do not signify a withdrawal, but are intended to protect staff, beneficiaries and the continuity of organisations’ work.

What international support does civil society need?

It needs international support that goes beyond mere project funding and fully recognises its democratic and political role. This requires a firmer diplomatic and public stance in favour of protecting civic space and human rights defenders. It also requires international solidarity when campaigners and organisations face abusive legal proceedings or other forms of pressure, and flexible funding mechanisms and institutional support that strengthen their resilience and advocacy capacity. 

Allies of Tunisian civil society must ensure that dialogue with international institutions places human rights at the heart of relations with Tunisia and that international policies are consistent with the protection of these rights.

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.