A Tunisian association has launched an international petition demanding the immediate release of political prisoners in Tunisia [1, 2].
The move highlights growing concerns over the treatment of detainees and the state of human rights within the country. By seeking international visibility, the group aims to pressure the government to prioritize the health and safety of those held in custody.
The Association of Victims of Torture in Tunisia initiated the campaign to protect prisoners whose health has reportedly declined [2]. The organization said that the authorities bear full responsibility for the safety of political prisoners and the deterioration of their medical conditions [2].
There are differing reports on the specific scope of the demand. One source indicates the petition calls for the release of all political prisoners [1], while another specifies the immediate release of Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of the Ennahda Movement [2]. Ghannouchi's health has been a focal point of the association's concerns.
These demands come amid a tense political climate. President Kais Saied has previously pushed back against external pressure regarding the country's internal governance. In a previous statement, Saied said that such actions constituted "blatant interference in Tunisian affairs" [3].
The association continues to urge the international community to support the petition to ensure that the Tunisian government adheres to humanitarian standards, and releases those detained for political reasons [1, 2].
“The association said that the authorities bear full responsibility for the safety of political prisoners”
This campaign reflects a strategy by Tunisian civil society to internationalize the issue of political detention. By linking the legal status of prisoners to their physical health, the Association of Victims of Torture is attempting to shift the narrative from political conflict to a humanitarian crisis, challenging the Tunisian government's sovereignty claims over its judicial process.
