Geneva, 23 June 2026
The United Nations, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Tunisian and international civil society organizations reaffirmed the importance of protecting civic space and freedom of association in Tunisia during a side event organized by Committee for Justice (CFJ) on the margins of the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The event was moderated by Ms. Fatma Asma Moatemri, Maghreb Programme Officer at Committee for Justice, who stressed that recent developments affecting civic space in Tunisia require sustained dialogue between civil society and international and regional human rights mechanisms. She highlighted the importance of preserving the human rights gains achieved over the past decade and strengthening cooperation within the framework of the Addis Ababa Roadmap.
In his keynote intervention, Mr. Damilola Olawuyi, Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, emphasized that an open and independent civic space is a prerequisite for accountability, transparency, and meaningful stakeholder participation. He underlined that freedom of association is fundamental to the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and called for ensuring an enabling environment in which civil society organizations can operate freely and effectively.
Ms. Najet Zammouri, Vice President of the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH), presented an overview of the challenges currently facing Tunisian civil society organizations. She expressed concern about developments affecting freedom of association and stressed the importance of preserving the legal framework that has enabled civil society to play a central role in monitoring public policies and defending rights and freedoms.
Ms. Hela Ben Salem, representing the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD), addressed the impact of current restrictions and challenges on women’s rights organizations and women human rights defenders. She emphasized that protecting civic space is directly linked to women’s ability to participate in public life, access justice, and advocate for their rights.
Ms. Wahiba Rabah, Civic Space Programme Manager at OMCT Tunisia, highlighted the legal and institutional challenges faced by civil society organizations and stressed the need to uphold international standards on freedom of association while safeguarding the independence of civil society actors.
Mr. Charbel Chaaya, Project Coordinator for Constitutional Law and Transitional Justice at Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF), provided a legal analysis of recent developments affecting freedom of association in Tunisia. He emphasized that any future legislative reforms should remain fully consistent with Tunisia’s constitutional guarantees and its international and African human rights obligations.
In her concluding intervention, Ms. Salma Sassi, Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Country Rapporteur for Tunisia, reaffirmed the Commission’s continued attention to developments affecting civic space in Tunisia. She stressed that freedom of association is a fundamental right protected by African and international human rights instruments and highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue between public authorities and civil society while ensuring that any legal reforms remain consistent with Tunisia’s regional and international commitments.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion involving representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations, human rights mechanisms, and civil society organizations. Participants emphasized the importance of continued international and regional support for Tunisian civil society and called for stronger cooperation between UN and African human rights mechanisms within the framework of the Addis Ababa Roadmap.
Participants concluded that protecting civic space and preserving the independence of civil society organizations are essential prerequisites for strengthening the rule of law, democratic participation, and human rights protection in Tunisia. The event delivered a clear message of solidarity and support to Tunisian civil society organizations and human rights defenders in facing current challenges.
