June 5, 2026
The Foundation expresses its deep concern and condemnation of the recent judicial rulings issued by the Court of First Instance in the capital on Tuesday, June 3, 2026. The court sentenced Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda Movement and former Speaker of Parliament, to life imprisonment in addition to a 30-year prison sentence. Mr. Ghannouchi, who is 84 years old, is reportedly suffering from deteriorating health conditions. The court also handed down prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment against other leaders of the movement in connection with the so-called “Ennahda Secret Apparatus” case.
These rulings come within the context of an ongoing pattern of judicial prosecutions and political targeting directed against leaders and members of opposition parties, as well as numerous activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society figures in Tunisia. Such proceedings lack the minimum guarantees of a fair trial.
The Arab Foundation believes that these rulings cannot be separated from the deteriorating political and human rights climate that Tunisia has witnessed in recent years, characterized by increasing restrictions on public freedoms and fundamental rights. These developments reflect a troubling trend toward the use of judicial institutions and legal procedures against political opponents and individuals expressing critical views of the authorities.
The Foundation further notes that dozens of political opponents, human rights defenders, and journalists have been subjected in recent years to prosecution, trial, or detention because of their political positions or public opinions. Among them is former Tunisian President Dr. Moncef Marzouki, along with other political and human rights figures who have faced judicial measures fundamentally linked to the exercise of their legitimate right to freedom of expression, criticism of public policies, or opposition to the political direction of the executive authorities.
The Foundation considers these prosecutions part of a broader pattern of restrictions on political opposition since the exceptional measures announced by President Kais Saied in July 2021. These measures resulted in the concentration of executive and legislative powers in the presidency, the suspension and subsequent dissolution of the elected parliament, and constitutional changes that weakened mechanisms of oversight, checks and balances, and democratic and institutional safeguards.
Sherif Helaly, Executive Director of the Foundation, emphasized that freedom of opinion and expression, as well as freedom of political and civic organization, are fundamental rights guaranteed by Tunisia’s Constitution and its international obligations, particularly under the United Nations framework and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
In this context, the Foundation calls on the Tunisian authorities to take the following steps
• Revoke judicial rulings and legal measures related to the exercise of fundamental rights, particularly freedom of opinion and expression.
• Release all individuals detained because of their peaceful political, human rights, or media activities, including Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi.
• End the use of exceptional laws and procedures to prosecute political opponents.
• Respect judicial independence and ensure that the judiciary is not used as a tool in political disputes.
• Lift restrictions imposed on political parties and civil society organizations.
• Reopen public space for peaceful political participation and pluralism, and respect the right to political opposition.
