Amnesty International has condemned a recent decision by a Tunisian appeals court to intensify prison sentences for leaders of the Ennahda party, asserting that the ruling exemplifies judicial measures being wielded against political opposition. The judgment, delivered on February 2, underscores concerns about the judicial process being used to target dissent in Tunisia.
The court confirmed and heightened sentences for at least 20 defendants involved in the case known as “Conspiracy against State Security 2.” Among those affected is Rached Ghannouchi, the 84-year-old leader of the Ennahda Party and former speaker of the Tunisian Parliament. Ghannouchi’s sentence has been increased to 20 years, up from 14, contributing to the 56 years of imprisonment he now faces due to multiple cases since his arrest in April 2023. Several other Ennahda officials, including the former intelligence chief Kamel Guizani and former foreign minister Rafik Abdessalem, had their 35-year sentences upheld as reported by JURIST.
The verdict forms part of a broader governmental clampdown on opposition, following President Kais Saied’s dissolution of the Tunisian Parliament in March 2022. Observers like Human Rights Watch have pointed to a pattern of arbitrary detentions and sweeping charges being utilized to stifle dissent against President Saied, as he expanded his control in July 2021. The organization has highlighted that these actions have included arrests and detentions of individuals from varied political backgrounds, such as lawyers, activists, and journalists, emphasizing that nearly all forms of expression and political engagement are becoming punishable offenses.
Tunisia’s state news agency also noted that the Criminal Chamber responsible for terrorism cases announced these sentences late at night. Some of the prison terms were adjusted, with warrants issued for individuals who had fled. Aside from prison sentences, some defendants are subject to administrative supervision, lasting up to five years post-incarceration.
The international community is witnessing an escalation in the use of judicial decisions to suppress democratic voices in Tunisia, raising alarms among human rights organizations and prompting calls to challenge these convictions. Such developments continue to influence the regional dynamics in North Africa, with profound implications for the country’s political landscape, particularly as President Saied’s policies draw scrutiny and criticism from global observers.