Tunisia: Türk Says Rulings In “Conspiracy” Case Are A Setback To Justice And Rule Of Law

GENEVA (24 April 2025) – The recent harsh and lengthy prison sentences against 37 individuals in Tunisia in the “conspiracy case” are a setback to justice and rule of law, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said on Thursday.

“The process was marred by violations of fair trial and due process rights, raising serious concerns about political motivations,” Türk said.

The defendants, most of whom are well-known public and political figures, were tried under Tunisia’s Counterterrorism Law and Criminal Code. The vague and broad charges included the formation of a terrorist organisation, intention of committing a terrorist crime, terrorism financing, and conspiring against the internal and external security of the State. The sentences ranged from 4 to 66 years in prison.

Eight of the 37 defendants were held in pretrial detention since February 2023, exceeding the legal limit of 14 months set out in the Code of Criminal Procedure, with restrictions on visits by their lawyers. Court hearings took place only in 2025, at which those detained were reportedly only allowed to attend remotely, based on a legislation tailored for the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that had not been adopted by the Parliament

The trial also lacked transparency, as evidence was not publicly presented or cross-examined. Access to public sessions was also denied for several journalists, civil society representatives and diplomats. Prior to rendering the sentences, defendants who were allowed to attend in person were not given the opportunity to speak, nor were their lawyers granted enough time to present arguments.

Defence lawyers said that the only facts presented to indict the defendants referred to their meetings to organise political opposition efforts, as well as meetings with foreign citizens, including diplomats. Taking part in public and political affairs is not a crime and must never be conflated with terrorism.

Ahmed Souab, one of the defence lawyers was arrested and charged with terrorism related offences for comments he allegedly made following the trial. This development raises additional concerns regarding the ability of lawyers to represent clients and the safety of legal professionals, the High Commissioner said.

He urged that all defendants be guaranteed their full rights to due process and fair trial during the process of appeal. “Charges must be dropped where there is no sufficient evidence of illegal acts committed,” he said.

Türk also reiterated his call on the Tunisian authorities to end the wider pattern of political persecution, arrests, arbitrary detentions and imprisonment of dozens of human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, activists and politicians, and to respect all their human rights, including the rights to freedom of opinion and expression.

“Pretrial detention should be considered only as a measure of last resort, its limits must be respected, and all those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released,” he said. “I also urge Tunisia to refrain from using broad national security and counter terrorism legislation to silence dissent and curb civic space. All such legislation should be reviewed to ensure it is in line with international human rights law norms and standards.”

“Tunisia was a role model and a source of inspiration for many nations in the region after the 2011 political transition, and it’s my hope that the country returns to the path of democracy, rule of law and human rights,” said the High Commissioner.

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