Press release
Geneva – August 19, 2024
UN human rights experts have issued a strong call to the Tunisian authorities, demanding immediate respect for the judicial guarantees and protections for Sihem Ben sedrine, a prominent Tunisian human rights advocate and former president of the Truth and Dignity Commission.
Ben sedrine was arrested on August 1, 2024, in what the experts described as a concerning act that could undermine freedom of expression and human rights advocacy in the country.
Repressive Climate:
The experts expressed deep concern about the arrest, especially in a political climate where dissenting voices are increasingly being suppressed.
They warned that “the arrest of Ms. Ben sedrine raises serious concerns about the respect for freedom of opinion and expression in Tunisia and could have a chilling effect on journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society as a whole.”
Ben sedrine, who has a long history of exposing human rights violations in Tunisia, has been under judicial investigation since 2021. The investigation is related to alleged falsification in a chapter of the Truth and Dignity Commission’s final report on corruption in Tunisia’s banking sector.
UN experts have previously cooperated with the Tunisian government on this investigation.
Judicial Harassment:
The experts stated, “There is a real risk that this arrest constitutes judicial harassment against Ms. Ben sedrine for her role as President of the Truth and Dignity Commission. It appears to be an attempt to discredit crucial information in the Commission’s report, which could lead to legal actions against those involved in corruption during previous regimes.”
The special rapporteurs emphasized Tunisia’s commitment to protecting members of investigative commissions from defamation and legal actions resulting from their work or the findings they present.
They urged the Tunisian authorities to ensure Ben sedrine’s right to a fair trial, stressing the need for due process, integrity, and independence in her case.
This urgent appeal by UN experts highlights the ongoing challenges faced by human rights defenders in Tunisia, as the country navigates its complex political landscape post-revolution. The situation remains volatile, with international attention now focused on how the Tunisian authorities will respond to this urgent call for justice.
