Press Release
The Military Court of Appeal in Tunisia has reduced the sentence of political activist Shaimaa Issa, initially sentenced to one year in prison, to six months with a suspended execution. This is in relation to charges of “inciting military personnel to disobey orders,” “offending the head of state,” and “spreading false news and rumors with the intent of harming public security and national defense,” based on a press statement she made.
One-year imprisonment sentence:
Issa had previously confirmed that a military court sentenced her to one year in prison with immediate execution. The verdict was issued on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in relation to a radio interview from 2022, where the activist criticized the country’s ruling authorities and the president, as well as the integrity of the elections.
The authorities had banned Issa from traveling following an investigation order issued against her on January 18, 2023, even before she was interrogated. She insisted that her statements during her media appearance did not constitute a crime warranting a military trial, asserting that they were part of regular political discourse and public affairs.
Violation of freedom of expression and calls to halt the sentence:
CFJ asserts that what happened to Issa constitutes a violation of her right to express her opinion, which is a clear breach of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This article states, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
CFJ emphasizes its solidarity with Issa and calls for the appeal of her sentence, as it was issued by an exceptional (military) court, and for an end to the targeting of her due to her opinions.