In 2021 Kais Saied, the president of Tunisia suspended parliament and dissolved it, starting both political and economic depressions. He began to rule by decree, bullied the judiciary, censored the press, harassed his opponents with criminal investigations, and arrested many more. At least 39 people are being investigated under charges of “insulting the authorities” and “spreading fake news” simply for exercising their freedom of expression. Saied has also said “Anyone who dares to acquit [those arrested] is their accomplice”.

In 25th July 2022 he gave himself even more power by initiating a new constitution, which passed through a referendum in which there was only a 30.5% turnout. In September 2022 he issued Decree Law 54, which grants the police power to crack on Social Media freedom of speech.

 

IHRC is campaigning against the authoritarian crackdown on opposition politicians leading to the arrest of such figures as Rached Ghannouchi and Said Ferjani.