In a development that has sent shockwaves through Tunisia’s once-vibrant civil society, courts have moved to suspend the activities of some of the country’s most prominent human rights organizations. The latest blow came on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, when Mnemty, an anti-racism nongovernmental organization, received a one-month suspension order, according to the Associated Press. This action is just the latest in a series of judicial decisions that have steadily eroded the space for groups challenging those in power since President Kais Saied consolidated authority in 2021.
Mnemty’s troubles began earlier this year, when its president, Saadia Mosbah, was detained in May 2024 alongside several other activists working on migrant rights. The detentions and subsequent suspension order have drawn international attention and sparked concern among human rights observers, who see them as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Tunisia. As reported by AP, Mnemty’s spokesperson, Zied Rouin, confirmed the suspension and highlighted the group’s ongoing struggle to continue its work in the face of mounting government pressure.
But Mnemty is not alone. Less than a week before the suspension order against Mnemty, the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights—better known by its French acronym, FTDES—was hit with a similar temporary suspension. The day before, on Monday, October 27, 2025, FTDES received its notice, and just days earlier, the Tunisian Association for Democratic Women (ATFD), a prominent feminist group, faced the same fate. These coordinated actions, critics say, are designed to silence organizations that have historically played a watchdog role in Tunisian society.
Romdhan Ben Amor, spokesperson for FTDES, didn’t mince words when speaking to The Associated Press. He argued that the government’s moves are a deliberate attempt to “deflect attention from major national issues, particularly environmental protests convulsing the city of Gabes.” Ben Amor went on to say that targeting human rights groups like FTDES “aims to stigmatize individual and social rights and freedom defenders.” According to Devdiscourse, Ben Amor also emphasized that FTDES’s advocacy on sensitive topics—such as the migration crisis and high-profile conspiracy cases against politicians—has put the organization in the government’s crosshairs.
Despite the mounting pressure, FTDES isn’t backing down. The organization has announced plans to appeal the suspension, insisting on its strict adherence to financial transparency laws. “FTDES has always adhered to financial transparency laws,” Ben Amor stated, addressing the government’s repeated accusations of foreign funding and interference. These allegations, which have become a hallmark of President Saied’s rhetoric, are often used to justify crackdowns on civil society groups. Authorities have subjected dozens of NGOs to continuous financial and tax audits in recent months, accusing them of serving foreign interests and enabling meddling in Tunisia’s domestic affairs.
The legal actions against Mnemty, FTDES, and ATFD are not isolated incidents. Instead, they represent the latest phase in what many observers describe as a systematic campaign to curtail the independence and influence of civil society organizations. Since President Saied’s consolidation of all branches of power in 2021, there has been a noticeable uptick in measures aimed at restricting NGOs, especially those that challenge the government’s narrative or advocate for marginalized communities.
President Saied has repeatedly cited the threat of foreign funding as a justification for these actions, fueling a populist narrative that accuses political opponents and social justice activists of being foreign agents intent on stirring unrest at home. According to AP, this rhetoric has found fertile ground in a country grappling with political uncertainty and economic hardship, making it easier for the government to paint dissenters as enemies of the state.
For many Tunisians, these developments are deeply worrying. After the 2011 Arab Spring, Tunisia emerged as a rare beacon of hope in the region—a place where civil society flourished and hard-won freedoms seemed within reach. Today, those gains appear increasingly fragile. The suspension of leading organizations like Mnemty, FTDES, and ATFD sends a chilling message to others: challenge the state, and you may find your operations halted, your leaders detained, and your funding scrutinized.
Environmental issues have also become a flashpoint in this struggle. The city of Gabes, in particular, has been rocked by protests over pollution and environmental degradation. According to both AP and Devdiscourse, critics argue that the government’s crackdown on NGOs is, in part, an attempt to shift attention away from these pressing domestic concerns. By targeting organizations that support protestors and advocate for environmental justice, authorities hope to weaken the movements demanding accountability and reform.
Meanwhile, the international community is watching closely. Tunisia’s reputation as a model for democratic transition in the Arab world is at stake. Human rights organizations and foreign governments have expressed alarm at the recent wave of suspensions and detentions, warning that they could mark the beginning of a much broader rollback of civil liberties. The government, for its part, remains defiant, insisting that its actions are necessary to protect national security and maintain public order.
The suspended organizations are not taking these developments lying down. Both FTDES and ATFD have vowed to fight the suspension orders in court, arguing that their work is essential to safeguarding the rights of ordinary Tunisians. Their determination underscores the resilience of Tunisia’s civil society, even in the face of mounting adversity.
As the legal battles play out, the broader question remains: what does the future hold for Tunisia’s civil society? Will organizations like Mnemty, FTDES, and ATFD be able to weather the storm and continue their work? Or will the government’s campaign of suspensions, audits, and detentions succeed in silencing dissent and reversing the hard-fought gains of the past decade?
For now, the fate of Tunisia’s human rights groups hangs in the balance. As critics and supporters alike await the outcome of the appeals, one thing is clear: the struggle for civil society’s survival in Tunisia is far from over.
