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A Tunisian court sentenced Saber Chouchane to death for online posts accused of inciting violence, marking the first such case under the 2022 cybercrime law. Critics warn this sets a dangerous precedent for free speech amid ongoing political repression since President Saied's 2021 power grab.
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Tunisia has resumed voluntary repatriations of migrants, with about 7,200 returned in 2024, amid ongoing regional migration tragedies. Recent shipwrecks off Libya and Tunisia have resulted in over 58 deaths, highlighting the dangers of Mediterranean crossings. EU-Tunisia cooperation aims to curb migration, while Libya's chaos fuels deadly crossings.
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Since President Kais Saied's 2021 power grab, Tunisian authorities have suspended multiple NGOs, including FTDES and ATFD, citing legal violations. Rights groups see these actions as part of a broader crackdown on civil liberties and independent activism, with ongoing investigations into foreign funding and increased audits.
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Amnesty International has documented widespread human rights abuses against migrants in Tunisia, including torture, racial profiling, and forced expulsions. The report criticizes the Tunisian government and EU cooperation, highlighting increased xenophobia and restrictions on refugee aid amid political upheaval since President Kais Saied's 2021 power grab.
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On November 3, 2025, a rubber boat carrying 49 migrants from Libya capsized six hours after departure due to engine failure amid high waves. After drifting for six days, seven survivors were rescued near Libya’s Al Buri oil field; 42 remain missing and presumed dead. This tragedy adds to over 1,000 migrant deaths in the central Mediterranean this year, highlighting urgent needs for safer migration routes and improved rescue efforts.
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Several Tunisian opposition figures, including Ben Mbarek, Rached Ghannouchi, and Issam Chebbi, are protesting their detention through hunger strikes amid allegations of torture and political repression by authorities since President Kais Saied's power consolidation in 2021. The protests highlight ongoing civil liberties concerns.
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As of December 2025, Tunisia's government under President Kais Saied has sentenced around 40 opposition figures, journalists, and activists to prison terms ranging from two to 45 years on charges of terrorism and conspiracy. Critics and rights groups denounce these as politically motivated trials aimed at silencing dissent. Hunger strikes and protests continue amid international condemnation.
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Tunisian President Saied criticized the EU ambassador after a meeting with union leader Noureddine Taboubi, accusing the envoy of acting outside diplomatic norms. The EU acknowledged the message, amid ongoing tensions over Saied's crackdown on civil society and protests over economic and political issues.