TUNIS, 02 May. - (ANA) - In Tunisia, civil society and independent media are working on the frontlines of an increasingly contested civic space. Today, several Tunisian NGOs face an imminent risk of dissolution through legal proceedings, following complaints filed by the Office of the Presidency of the Government, according to the European Endowment for Democracy (EED). 

 

This follows successive waves of temporary suspension of CSOs’ activities that according to unofficial reports, have targeted dozens of organisations, including very recently the Tunisian League for Human Rights.  

 

Partners report that the situation is increasingly difficult with independent voices routinely targeted, silenced, or forced into self-censorship. They are subject to a coordinated use of administrative regulations, including financial audits, compliance reviews, and organisational suspensions that target civil society actors indiscriminately. 

 

This is having a chilling effect on democracy actors, particularly in an environment where several prominent human rights lawyers, activists, and independent journalists are in detention, with some sentenced to prison in politically motivated trials. This goes hand in hand with a presidential rhetoric that demonises civil society and labels them "foreign agents" and "enemies of the state".

 

Despite these significant challenges, Tunisia's civic fabric has not collapsed. Activism has experienced a revival, as was witnessed during the large scale protests in Gabès in late 2025 driven by popular anger over industrial pollution. In March, a new citizen civic initiative was launched, calling for the repeal of Decree-Law 54, adopted in September 2022 and presented as a cybercrime tool. This legislation has been used to prosecute journalists and ordinary citizens for the dissemination of so-called “false information”, with penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of 50,000 dinars.

 

Faced with these pressures, EED partners have responded by restructuring and reorganising activities, and adopting more robust compliance systems, as well as physical and online security measures. EED’s capacity to deliver rapid-response funding and tailored grants continues to be critical in supporting partners navigate these challenging circumstances.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/09 May 2026 - - -