Mass protests erupt in Tunisia over president’s escalating crackdown on freedoms

Mass protests erupt in Tunisia over president’s escalating crackdown on freedoms
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Tunisians took to the streets of downtown Tunis on Saturday over what they described as President Kais Saied ‘s increasingly authoritarian rule, demanding the release of all jailed political prisoners, Arab News reported.

The rally, held under the banner “Against Injustice,” brought together families of political detainees and activists from different ideological backgrounds.

The demonstration drew more than 1,000 protesters, some dressed in black and chanting anti-regime slogans, including “The people want to overthrow the regime,” “What a great country! Oppression and tyranny!” and “No fear no terror, the street belongs to the people.”

The protest came as part of a broader surge in protests nationwide over political and economic turmoil under Saied’s rule. On Thursday, Tunisian journalists protested against the widening crackdown on the freedom of the press and the temporary suspension of several prominent civil society organizations.

Protesters also called out Saied’s interference in the judiciary and accused him of using the police to target political opponents.

Several rights groups have raised increasing alarm over the growing scale of repression in Tunisia. Human Rights Watch has said that over 50 people, including politicians, lawyers, journalists and activists, have been subjected to arbitrary arrest or prosecution since late 2022, for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly or political activity.

The rights group also warned that broad anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws were being utilized to criminalize dissent and tame all forms of free speech.

Saied, who suspended parliament and consolidated all branches of power in July 2021, said his actions were necessary to root out corruption, eliminate “traitors” and restore state institutions.