Human Rights Watch (HRW) has publicly condemned the pre-trial detainment of Sihem Bensedrine, a prominent activist and the former president of Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission. According to a press release issued on Monday, HRW is calling for Bensedrine’s immediate release, emphasizing the retaliatory nature of her incarceration. HRW Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director, Bassam Khawaja, stated that, “[t]his is a clear case of retaliation, and authorities should immediately release Bensedrine, drop the charges, and stop targeting human rights defenders.” He further remarked that this development represents a culmination of efforts by President Saied’s government to undermine Tunisia’s transitional justice process.
Bensedrine was detained in Manouba prison on August 1, 2024, by the mandate of an investigative judge linked to her past work with the Commission. Her subsequent requests for release have been denied. The origins of her legal troubles trace back to May 2020, when a former commission member accused her of falsifying the Commission’s final report concerning alleged corruption at the Franco-Tunisian Bank. An official investigation began in February 2023, followed swiftly by a travel ban in March 2024. Bensedrine faces charges including “using her position to gain unfair advantage for herself or a third party, fraud, and forgery.”
The Truth and Dignity Commission, established in 2013 after the ousting of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, aims to investigate past abuses and propose redress measures. Bensedrine’s long history of activism has seen her imprisoned under various governments for criticizing human rights violations. HRW characterizes the recent arrest as a significant setback for transitional justice in Tunisia and contravenes the guidelines of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which permits pre-trial detention only after a proper individualized determination.
Amnesty International has added its voice to the chorus of international criticism, describing the charges against Bensedrine as a “misuse of the criminal justice system”. HRW further contends that her detainment is indicative of President Saied’s broader strategy to weaken judicial independence and serve his own political interests. This development comes amid rising concerns and protests against state repression as President Saied seeks re-election on October 6, 2024.
For a detailed understanding of the situation, you may refer to the complete article on JURIST News.