What's happened
Several Tunisian opposition figures, including Jawhar Ben Mbarek and Rached Ghannouchi, have begun hunger strikes to protest their detention and deteriorating health. The protests highlight ongoing political repression since President Saied's 2021 power consolidation, with concerns over judicial independence and civil liberties rising.
What's behind the headline?
The protests by Tunisia's opposition leaders reveal a deepening crisis of political repression under President Saied. The hunger strikes serve as a stark symbol of the erosion of judicial independence and civil liberties, with opposition figures like Ghannouchi and Ben Mbarek risking their lives to oppose what they see as a dictatorship. The government’s denial of health deterioration contrasts sharply with reports from families and rights groups, highlighting a potential cover-up of the severity of the situation. This escalation could further international pressure on Tunisia, but Saied’s consolidation of power suggests he will likely continue to suppress dissent. The protests underscore a broader crisis of legitimacy and rule of law, with the potential to destabilize Tunisia further if the political repression persists.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports on the health deterioration and protests of opposition figures, emphasizing the severity of their conditions and the political context. The New Arab and Reuters provide additional perspectives, highlighting the widespread detention of opposition leaders and the accusations of Tunisia becoming an 'open-air prison.' These sources collectively portray a picture of escalating repression, with some critics framing Saied’s actions as a coup, while the government maintains that detainees are under medical supervision. The contrasting narratives underscore the tension between official denials and human rights concerns, illustrating the complex political landscape in Tunisia.
How we got here
Since President Kais Saied's 2019 rise to power, Tunisia has experienced a decline in civil liberties, marked by the 2021 dissolution of parliament and the expansion of executive authority. Opposition figures have been detained and sentenced on charges widely viewed as politically motivated, amid a broader crackdown on dissent and media freedom.
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Rached Ghannouchi, also spelled Rachid al-Ghannouchi or Rached el-Ghannouchi, is a Tunisian politician and thinker, co-founder of the Ennahdha Party and serving as its intellectual leader. He was born Rashad Khriji.
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Kais Saied is a Tunisian politician, jurist and former lecturer serving as the fifth President of Tunisia since October 2019. He was president of the Tunisian Association of Constitutional Law from 1995 to 2019.