Amnesty International has called upon Tunisian authorities to release anti-racism activist Saadia Mosbah and five others, urging the appellate court to overturn their controversial convictions. As president of the anti-racism organization Mnemty, Mosbah, along with her colleagues, was arrested in May 2024 on charges of money laundering and “illicit enrichment.” This has drawn substantial criticism from rights organizations, pointing out the lack of evidence presented in court against the accused.
In March, the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced Mosbah to eight years in prison, imposing a hefty fine exceeding US $40,000, while her colleagues received varied prison terms and fines. Amnesty’s North Africa researcher, Safia Rayan, described the verdict as an alarming indication of how the Tunisian justice system is being manipulated to target activists, especially those advocating for Black and anti-racism rights. The contention lies in the vague language of the statute regarding “illicit enrichment,” which opens doors to potential misuse for political and social repression.
The appellate hearings, renewed this month, offer a chance to reassess the verdict. Mosbah’s leadership at Mnemty has been critical in fighting racism in Tunisia, notably contributing to the adoption of Organic Law 2018-50. This law marks a significant milestone in combating racial discrimination, making Tunisia a pioneer in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Amnesty’s demands are echoed amid a broader concern about rising racial tensions within Tunisia, previously fueled by political rhetoric that Amnesty accuses of inciting discrimination. This comes at a time when Tunisia remains a signatory to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which obliges them to uphold commitments against racial bias.
The situation surrounding Mosbah has been exacerbated by reports of her enduring racism and physical abuses in detention, raising alarms about the state of human rights in Tunisia. In light of these developments, many are looking towards the appellate court’s decision, set to be reconvened this Friday, as a crucial moment for justice in the region.
Further details on Amnesty’s call for action can be found here.