Tunisia Crackdown: Rights Group Suspended Amid Migrant Repatriation
November 6, 2025
Today, Tunisia continues its crackdown on human rights groups, with another organization facing suspension by Tunisian authorities. This recent development adds to a growing list of rights groups that have had their operations halted in the country.
Background
Over the past three years, Tunisia has witnessed a troubling trend of dismantling protections for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, particularly those from sub-Saharan African countries. The government’s actions have raised concerns about racist policing and widespread human rights violations that endanger the lives, safety, and dignity of vulnerable populations.
Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti revealed that Tunisia has repatriated approximately 10,000 irregular migrants in 2025, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa. This move comes as the North African country faces pressure from the European Union to curb Mediterranean crossings and not become a transit zone for migrants.
Recent Developments
Amid the broader crackdown on civil society, Tunisia has suspended yet another independent media group, further stifling freedom of expression in the country. At least a dozen political activists have been imprisoned, several NGOs have reported frozen bank accounts, and five journalists have been jailed under the current regime.
Additionally, Tunisian bank workers have initiated a two-day strike demanding pay rises, halting all financial transactions. The strike highlights the economic challenges facing the country as it grapples with an ongoing economic crisis.
Former ambassador Elyes Kasri has reignited a territorial dispute, calling for Tunisia to reclaim approximately 20,000 km² of land he claims was unjustly incorporated into another country during the colonial era. This move has sparked renewed tensions in the region.
Implications
The suspension of rights groups and media organizations, coupled with the repatriation of migrants and territorial disputes, raises concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Tunisia. The country, which was once considered a beacon of democracy in the region, now faces challenges to its democratic values and freedoms.
The crackdown on civil society and independent media threatens to erode the progress made in Tunisia’s transition to democracy following the Arab Spring. The government’s actions have drawn criticism from international human rights organizations and raised questions about the country’s commitment to upholding human rights standards.
As Tunisia grapples with internal turmoil and external pressures, it faces a critical juncture in its history. The decisions made by Tunisian authorities in the coming months will shape the country’s future trajectory and its standing on the global stage.