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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 Court of Appeal upheld prison sentences ranging from 2 to 45 years for around 40 opposition figures, including activists, lawyers, and politicians. The convictions stem from a politically charged mass trial accusing them of conspiracy and terrorism. Rights groups condemn the verdicts as a crackdown on dissent under President Kais Saied's rule, with hunger strikes underway by some prisoners.
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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.
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Several Tunisian opposition figures, including prominent critics of President Kais Saied, received lengthy prison sentences on charges of conspiracy and terrorism. Rights groups condemn the trials as politically motivated amid ongoing crackdowns on dissent following Saied's 2021 power grab. The sentences range from 5 to 66 years, with many defendants in absentia.
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Since December 10, 2025, former President Trump has intensified racist comments targeting Somali immigrants and their representatives, including Ilhan Omar, amid ongoing immigration policies and political tensions. His remarks have sparked widespread condemnation and concern over rising xenophobia in the US and globally.
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In early December 2025, President Donald Trump launched a harsh verbal attack on Somali immigrants in Minnesota, calling them "garbage" and claiming they contribute nothing to the US. He also criticized Somali-born Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. These remarks coincided with federal plans for immigration enforcement operations targeting Somali residents, sparking local political backlash and highlighting ongoing tensions over immigration policy.