This archive report was first published on 24 December 2021.
December 24, 2021 - Tunisian authorities are using 'repressive' dictatorship-era laws to silence critics of President Kais Saied, according to Human Rights Watch.
Using these laws, prosecutors are prosecuting citizens in both military and civilian courts and jailing them for public criticism of Saied and other officials.
Since July 25, when Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament, and lifted MPs' immunity, several political figures and activists have faced trial in military courts over public criticism of Saied.
Exiled former president Moncef Marzouki was sentenced in absentia this week to four years in prison for 'undermining the security of the state from abroad' and causing 'diplomatic harm.'
A group of anti-Saied political figures have announced a hunger strike against his 'flagrant oppression and total abolition of freedoms.'
Human Rights Watch's Eric Goldstein warned that 'to publicly challenge the president and his seizure of special powers is to risk finding yourself in court.'
Earlier this month, the North African country's journalists' union warned of an 'imminent danger to freedom of the press, media and expression' since July 25.
